Clouds Forming Crowns
Self-titled CD
Morphius
Records
Genres: indie pop, indie rock, lo-fi
Morphius
PO Box 13474
Baltimore MD 21203
June 6 - 12 2005 |
Clouds Forming Crowns is the work of Tim and Todd
Tobias, two ex-members of Guided By Voices This is
clearly the main selling point, though the GBV connection isn't
really that defined. There is a similar song aesthetic
here, with many Pollard-esque hooks, but the intricate melodic
detail of better GBV material is never really recreated
here. With that said, however, this is still an above average
pop album - many songs are worthy of repeated listens, and all but a
few of them have the power to addict you.
The music on this album is generally classifiable into two
categories - powerful rock numbers (ala GBV's recent work) and
slower pop tracks (think Under The Bushes' more melancholy
moments.) "Accidents of Air" and "Tails Being
Born" are exceptional tracks belonging to the former section,
while the minor-key "Nowhere is Everywhere" and the
depressed "Let's Bleed" lend themselves to the latter.
There are, of course, a few poorer songs on this record - "Minus
Drivers" lacks hooks and "Night When People Go Fast"
isn't particularly memorable. Many of the disc's tunes will require a
few listens to sink in, but the wait should prove to be worth it in the
end.
Clouds Forming Crowns isn't up there with some of GBV's
other off-shoots (Tobin Sprout) but it is still a very
enjoyable record - and a must for any fan of the band.
85%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
16 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2005] |
