The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millenium General Assembly
Label: Hardly Art
Length: LP
Media: CD
Format: Album
WorkNameSort: Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millenium General Assembly, The
As if there weren’t enough bands spilling forth with the English word ‘wolfâ?� in their name, along it comes in French with this new D.C. band. The second release on Sub Pop’s arty offshoot label, their debut is a flitting zephyr of otherworldly pop that’s as delicate as it is detailed. Its generous instrumental filigree (banjo, French horn, electronics, field recordings, etc.) allows the octet to move like an intimate, modern orchestra. Even the vocals are applied in an instrumental way, with six contributing voices singing in rhythmically woven multipart harmonies (‘Outside of This Car, the End of the Worldâ?�). Though it’s a no-leads, tapestry approach, the music does more than flicker around your head. Through harmonic tension (‘We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!â?�) and arabesque lines (‘Look to the Westâ?�), this series of wonders weaves its way inside. Unlike many other atmospheric indie bands, their fragile loveliness is framed by precision and punctuation. Truly something special.
This article appears in Sep 12-18, 2007.