Dearest, Crown
A Single Star, Bigger Than the Universe
Lather
A stunning first album from Portland, Oregon’s Dearest, Crown, on which they combine their ragged down-to-earth but ethereal music with some of the finest, most evocative lyrics I’ve encountered for some time now. Musically reminiscent of Matt Pond PA, Califone and Green-/Out Of Time-era R.E.M., Dearest, Crown’s drum-less campfire sound may be too much for some listeners, but proves to be a subversive approach to songs that would have fallen apart had they been treated otherwise. Imagine Lullaby For the Working Class doing Tom Petty songs and you may understand what I’m going on about.
Songs about man’s relative place in the history of time and of human littleness may not be too hip by anyone’s standards, but that’s just what you’ll get on here. It could all have been too sanctimonious for words, but it’s not – Dearest, Crown sing about loss and pain without resorting to clichés and high drama, instead focusing on coming to terms with natural endings and limitations. It’s beautifully done on an unassuming album that may take a few listens before it sits comfortably with you, but that is well worth the effort.
Lather Records: http://www.latherrecords.com
