This is fine.
It has taken us just about a week to come to a reasonable consensus about who we loved the most during SXSW. We compiled our lists based on individual preferences and tried to give you a broad range of acts, so now you can consider our SXSW coverage complete with our list of the ten best bands we saw.
Rating: 
It seems like Merge Records can do no wrong as of recent, with stellar releases this year from names like Destroyer, Telekinesis and Apex Manor. So it is not a big surprise that this record is remarkable, well produced and enticing. Wye Oak has indubitably grown a great deal since their last release, and continue to amaze with how fulfilling their sound is for just a two member band.
Civilian is typical in that it has its immediate standouts, but unique in that after repeated listens, those that didn’t stand out before begin to emerge from the background, becoming new favorites. The opening track, “Two Small Deaths,” is one that grabs your attention upon the first listen. A bit of indiscernible chatter opens the song, giving that feeling of the moment before a show is about to start. It puts a bit of anxious-excitement about what is going to come after the chatter falls away, and Wye Oak certainly do not disappoint. Some simple feedback eases you in, and then the elegant and buttery vocals of Jenn Wasner hit you over the head, commanding your attention. The track ebbs and flows between the swell of folk sound from the beautiful vocals and the shoe gaze guitars.
While the start to this album is certainly calm in it’s nature, it is by no means a template for the rest of the songs. On numbers like “Plains,” there are drastic build-ups to the powerful, vocal and instrumental, crescendos. It is here, along with the rest of the album, where the rich and strong vocals of Wasner are comparable to that of Victoria Legrand from Beach House. It’s so easy to get lost in the delicate, yet hurricane force strength of the vocals, but it’s not a feeling of misdirection. Instead, it’s the wonderful feeling of having nowhere to be, and getting lost leads you to something that you never would have found otherwise.
On the title track, “Civilian,” the song builds upon itself, layering the crispness of folk and the grit of the guitar. It grows and grows, and then hell breaks loose; all tension that has been built is suddenly released in a cathartic swell of squalling feedback. Elements of brilliance such as this are found all over Civilian, both in the attention grabbers and the slow burners. The prevalence of control and detail that Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner bring to their sound allows for them to push their boundaries, all while staying calculated. Sound like this merits multiple listens, and careful listens at that, or else you might miss a savory indie rock treat in this album.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/05-Civilian-1.mp3]Download: Wye Oak – Civilian [MP3]
Having been a long time fan of Wye Oak, of course I was looking forward to this track, and any ensuing goodness they had to offer up. But, when the song appeared on TheGum I had no idea just how good it was going to be. Jenn’s voice sounds phenomenal here, and part of me has this tingling feeling I got when I first heard “Zebra” by Beach House last year. If that’s any indicator, then Civilian, the new album out on March 8th from Merge is going to be one incredible animal. Just listen to that squalling feedback near the end! It’s like steamy sex in the woods, then Sonic Youth reckless abandon. Yes, I realize that might be a bit redundant, but go with it.
Download: Wye Oak – Civilian [MP3]
Last Friday, our incredible photo lady Mary Rehak made her way to The Parish to check out a set by Hospital Ships, Wye Oak, and our very own Shearwater. Mary claims to have seen these bands more than any living person, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to see them yet again. After the jump you can check out a short review and some fancy photos from Mary.
| Date | 5/7/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | The Parish |
| Doors | 8pm |
| Tickets | $13 @ Frontgate |
One of Austin’s finest and hottest indie acts Shearwater are playing one of their highly anticipated shows at The Parish tomorrow night. Openers are solid here too with Wye Oak and Hospital Ships both there for your enjoyment. Should be a good one.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/shearwater_black_eyes.mp3]Download: Shearwater – Black Eyes [MP3]
It’s that time of year again for all of us to begin reflecting on the first third of our year in the music world. Merge has of course released some stellar albums in these first 4 months of 2010 and they’re celebrating that with a free 14 track digital sampler. Awesome songs from She & Him, Destroyer, Let’s Wrestle, and tons of others are including. The Sampler is currently available for free download via Amazon. This also gives me another excuse to post up one of my favorite songs of the year from Merge band Wye Oak.
Download: Wye Oak – I Hope You Die [MP3]
Not far released from their stellar 2009 release Knots, Wye Oak are returning this year with new EP My Neighbor/My Creator. Below you’ll find a download of, “I Hope You Die”, which is a new single from the upcoming EP. It’s a powerful lil’ ballad that shows a bright future for this up and coming band. You can get My Neighbor/My Creator in the Merge Records store digitally on April 20th and physically June 8th. Enjoy.
Download: Wye Oak – I Hope You Die [MP3]
We recently posted a new song by Wye Oak and now we’re lucky enough to have the band stopping through town at the Mohawk on Wednesday night. The Baltimore band will share the stage with openers Pomegranates and local guys Salesman. Doors are at 8pm/music at 9. No word on door cover. Here’s that new song we posted not long ago.
Download: Wye Oak – Take It In [MP3]
Baltimore two piece Wye Oak just dropped a new single that we’ve been spinning around the ATH offices over the last few days. The new track will appear on upcoming album The Knot due out July 21st on Merge. What do you think of the new material?
Download: Wye Oak – Take It In [MP3]
