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Volcano Choir
Repave


4.1
excellent

Review

by Julianna Reed EMERITUS
September 8th, 2013 | 90 replies


Release Date: 2013 | Tracklist


Repave’s album cover takes me back to a different place and time. More specifically, early April-- I was watching the ocean unfold, an endless blanket of blue. The waves were either clashing against each other or working in harmony, existing in some kind of vexing relationship with the moon. As my friend and I relaxed on the beachfront, as the pigeons above our heads flew north, everything fell into some kind of discernible rhythm-- nature itself, unfurled in front of us. We were spectators to it all, and there was no need for anything more. The simple act of watching the world through our personal lenses was more than enough.

Volcano Choir know how it goes to be passengers, especially considering they’ve been observing the indie scene for awhile now. If nothing else, their debut Unmap set the stage for greatness, creating basic blueprints of indie-folk to attract an eager audience. But the group’s main draw is Justin Vernon, the singer who once viewed the indie scene with binoculars in one hand and an infiltration scheme in the other. Now he’s playing with the big boys, landing guest spots on Yeezus and dropping death metal vocal lines on Colin Stetson’s latest record. So after all this time in the shadows, Vernon has leapt into the spotlight again with Volcano Choir, and to mark the occasion, they’re leaving behind an album that has no problem standing on its own two feet.

Repave is the sound of friends camping out in the woods, of an album penned within the claws of nature herself. Volcano Choir sprinkle studio magic into the record to give it a fantastical glimmer-- Vernon himself benefits from this, especially in the boxy reverb his voice provides in “Alaskans”. But even with production tricks in tow, this record is every bit as natural as the images it suggests. As the bonfire coughs and crackles smoke into the air, and the members of Volcano Choir strum guitar and crack jokes, the campsite evolves from a mere physical location to a meeting ground for comrades. The stuttering guitar leads, Vernon’s fluttering falsettos and earthy percussion bring the listeners even closer to the campfire, to the point where they can smell the embers. It’s music that could’ve been crafted in a backyard, but also has the brawn to be recreated in a festival setting. Similarly to Vernon’s masterstroke For Emma, Forever Ago, this record speaks to throngs of people just as personally as it does to a single listener. But what makes Repave different is that it’s the result of multiple creative minds at work, and that synergy is what makes the record so invigorating.

This is a Justin Vernon who steps into the picture, contributes his parts, then heads home for the day. He isn’t tethered to the construction of this record like he was with Bon Iver’s-- and the net benefit is evident in how immense the man’s voice sounds. In “Keel”, the most rousing performance of Vernon’s career, the frontman shows a breadth of emotions with what sounds like second-nature to him, but it isn’t just that-- the track’s lyrics are utterly haunting. When Justin Vernon sings “The Prophet’s here,” his lyrics sound more important than ever before. But Volcano Choir backs him up with spine-chilling drone and broken guitar patters, making the track as huge as it wants to be. Yes, these men are the same boys that released Unmap four years ago-- but they’re making music for you and me now.



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user ratings (288)
3.7
great
other reviews of this album
YourDarkAffected (4)
Justin Vernon's in the empire business....

DelPaxtonsTheMan (4)
Justin Vernon channels his inner Seth McFarlane, and creates a gorgeous album in the process....



Comments:Add a Comment 
Yuli
Emeritus
September 8th 2013


10767 Comments


Cheers to Lucidity for helping me to edit this piece a bit.

"Tiderays" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvUyXISYX_k
"Comrade" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWhGS2D4a-4

Buy the album here - http://www.scdistribution.com/release.html?catalog=JAG238&class=title


YourDarkAffected
September 8th 2013


1870 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Really interesting review. I'm not sure what I expected for yours, but it definitely wasn't this. Awesome job nonetheless

Yuli
Emeritus
September 8th 2013


10767 Comments


Thanks man. I wanted to try something new for this one, and it took a bit of work to hone.

YourDarkAffected
September 8th 2013


1870 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Never heard of Shearwater either but I'll be checking it out.

Yuli
Emeritus
September 8th 2013


10767 Comments


One of my favorite albums ever!

PunchforPunch
September 8th 2013


7085 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

lol

Underflow
September 8th 2013


5297 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Good album for sure.

Point1
September 8th 2013


863 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Amazing album cover.

Yuli
Emeritus
September 8th 2013


10767 Comments


Thats only two paragraphs, John Hipster Hanson!

klap
Emeritus
September 8th 2013


12410 Comments


omg hanson go awaay

tommygun
September 9th 2013


27117 Comments


good album good review

luci
September 9th 2013


12844 Comments


gj nitpicking hanson

Yuli
Emeritus
September 9th 2013


10767 Comments


I'm happy improving, man. I just personally don't see a problem with what you pointed out, though I will keep it in mind for the future.

Hawks
September 9th 2013


93615 Comments


Gotta listen to this.

tommygun
September 9th 2013


27117 Comments


this shit is so tight

tommygun
September 9th 2013


27117 Comments


except keel on headphones what the fuck it's like a fly buzzing around in my skull

avonbarksdale221
September 9th 2013


8298 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Great review, this rules.

Yuli
Emeritus
September 9th 2013


10767 Comments


Thanks man! And Tommy, what's wrong with Keel on headphones?

loveisamixtape
September 9th 2013


12415 Comments


need to check this out. great review, as always!

johnnyblaze
September 9th 2013


3409 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

probably gonna be in my top 5 this year. nice review man.



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