KEPLER- Attic salt


This appears to be more a review for a label than a band as Kepler broke up in 2006, a fragmented band largely because of one of their members, Jeremy Gara, joined the Arcade Fire camp as things were getting interesting for them. Still, that hasn’t stopped German-based label Oscarson wanting to release this album on vinyl some nine years later. It’s interesting though that Kepler still sound current and so the chance to hear ‘Attic salt’ now is actually a joy. I’ve been listening to lots of old inherited 78s recently, some dating back as far as the 1920s, and there is something really wonderful about hearing the past come to life in a slightly crackly way, the click of the record coming to an end and the inability to skip a track so really giving the music your undivided attention.


‘Attic salt’ has a wholesome indie/rock feel from beginning to end, and it’s also plain to see why Kepler earned a name for themselves as being slow and haunting, achieving a quality sound without being dull or contrived. Using noise when appropriate too, and a good dose of pop rhythm on the odd track, the Canadian band remind me of a heavier Herman Dune on the more melancholy numbers, and Low on the less heavy ones, as well as the vocalist sounding like another American singer that I can’t put my finger on. Deeply beautiful melodies compliment the equally beautiful record sleeve, complete with intricate integrated booklet, and I genuinely feel excited to have received this, a reminder of what it feels like to hold a physical product in your hands to which so much love, blood, sweat and other bodily substances has gone into. There is a limited edition of 1000 records and ‘Attic Salt’ comes highly recommended if there are any left by now.

 

There are other releases on Oscarson to check out if this is the case. Oh, and if you think of the name of the singer that the singer sounds like, would you let me know as well?

Anna C

www.facebook.com/OscarsonLabel


Released 6th May, 2014