|
|
| Artist: ESPERS Title: III Format: LP Label: Drag City Country: USA Price: $19.00 |
| "Picking up the threads with ease, Espers III was intended to be an aural reversal of the layered sound of II. The goal was to record fewer tracks in order to achieve a stronger, more oxygenated sonic presence. Where II was almost claustrophobic in its density and darkness, III was envisaged as being somehow lighter, effervescent; perhaps even of a cheery disposition at times (whoa there! Dont go not breaking our heart, Espers). Under these auspices, recording started in late 2008 and spilled into the spring and summer of 2009. As more time passed in the recording process, a growing dementia within both song and lyrics emerged, making even the most ethereal songs on III seem oddly unwholesome to all involved. As with past releases (both by Espers and significant others), III was recorded with the vinyl LP in mind, playing as a whole divided into two equally weighted sides. Recorded to analog tape and mixed to analog tape again at the end, the songs ended up in a stippled, rippling, ever-flowing space, another important factor in the realization of III. Space is a core concept here -- each of these songs in some way access new space, whether they are envisioning, locating, or claiming and colonizing it. In fact, IIIs working title was Colony, owing to a subtextual thought process that encompassed aspects of Herzogs Aguirre, Heart of Darkness, cult groups, deep Amazonian treks, religious nation building, ritualistic drug ceremonies (taking drugs to take canoe trips to take drugs on) -- eg., escape from assimilation, surviving cultural wars by embedding themselves in the wilderness, among friends and fellow travelers. The cover aesthetic and Xavier Schipanis arresting artwork mirror these themes and Espers desire to reach beyond what might be expected of an Espers album with metaphoric imagery and increased dimensionality -- not just a new Espers album, but indeed, a new Espers." - Drag City. |
| Artist: ESPERS Title: Espers Format: CD Label: Locust Country: USA Price: $14.50 |
| "Espers are a boy/girl/girl trio from Philly featuring singer/songwriter Greg Weeks, Meg Baird and Brooke Sietinsons who combine the elemental sound of acid-folk with the baroque arrangements of late 60s chamber rock. Fully versed in the sumptuous vernacular of drug music, the cradle of Appalachian song, and the succinct truths of the three-minute pop ballad, their full length debut is an irresistible collection of sweet and subtle songs essential for fans of Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Jackson C. Franck, Bread, Love & Dreams and Bert Jansch. Espers are the sound of the New Weird America the way it should be heard -- with the ease, infectious grace and absolute beauty of an ever expansive trio bound for ever greater pastures." - Locust. |
| Artist: ESPERS Title: The Weed Tree Format: CD Label: Locust Country: USA Price: $14.50 |
| "When discussions were first taking place for a teaser album before Espers next proper studio full length, it didnt take any of us long to agree on the timeliness of an album of cover songs. Over the last few years while out on the road supporting their self titled debut, audiences were floored by renditions of traditionals like the bittersweet Black is the Color or the intergalactic take on master traveler Michael Hurleys Blue Mountain. An album of covers & traditionals was a perfect plan. Simple, no big deal. Selections were made: Hurley, Nico, Durutti Column, Blue Oyster Cult, trad cuts inspired by Bert Jansch & the Famous Jug Band & a new original called Dead King -- a single dispatch from the future -- would fill out the album. We could call The Weed Tree yet another exemplary example of acid folk, baroque psych or sunshine pop with a sinister edge but none of this brings us any closer to giving meaning to a mess of unexplainable tears -- the result of the old happy/sad life humdrum that, by now, is a personal blueprint for an album gifted with the arch beauty of the Weed Tree . So, The Weed Tree is an album between the stations but, as transitions go, this is just further proof that Espers are at the nadir of what makes music meaningful & meaning matter in music today." - Locust. |