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 hasnt stopped German-based
label Oscarson wanting to release this album on vinyl some nine years
later. Its interesting though that Kepler still sound current
and so the chance to hear Attic salt now is actually a
joy. Ive 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 its 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 cant 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?