Review Summary: A Basic Wagon is an Ohio-based duo, which is well beyond being basic. And Stray is their latest release that studies the territories of weird and independent music, that is not devoid of melodicism and hit potential. Being as progressive as it is dark, th
A Basic Wagon is an Ohio-based duo, which is well beyond being basic. And Stray is their latest release that studies the territories of weird and independent music, that is not devoid of melodicism and hit potential. Being as progressive as it is dark, the band is sure to win over the hearts of Xiu Xiu and The Deer Hunter listeners
The album kicks off with Pieces, a pretty gothic americana banger, with a chilling melody in its basis. The haunting songwriting brings up such artists as 16 Horsepower, El Creepo, and everything in between, plus a little extra emotional vocals with notes of Circa Survive. Sets the mood just right.
Devil’s Dance lightens up the atmosphere, being a more classic indie rock staple, a little devil praise developing upon memorable chorus a-la Portugal The Man (in a good way).
The sinister bass absolutely cements the beginning of Fault, which starts as punk rock savagery, that still never gets beyond the line of being elegant and discreet. The slight punk aroma really makes this song shine.
The next number is something way more indie rock-oriented in the classic meaning of the word – the perception of this track is improved if listened to in the context of the whole album. I Don’t Want to Be That Anymore is chill and hopeless, just like life should be.
Naming a song Seer puts a lot of weight and expectation on it (thanks to Witch and Swans), but A Basic Wagon turned it into a pop hymn, with an accessible melody and no oversaturated songwriting. It’s as straightforward as it is not heavy.
Gone surprisingly features a little hip-hop and overall Animal Collective vibe but with fewer drugs involved.
And if by that time you are urging for good old Coachella psychedelia, Timepiece is sure to satisfy your hunger for hallucinogens. Now there are way more drugs involved.
Heir returns to the uneasy gothic stuff the band did in the first half of the album; even the lyrics get more sinister, adding to the charm of the cannibalistic waltz.
It is followed by Tangerine – the only song on Stray that I can’t say anything about. It just passes through me: Can’t say it’s filler, just not as notorious as others.
Conotton serves as a kind of weird outro, summarizing the band’s creative coordinates. And those are dark, eerie, and troubled tunes.
If you love your music slightly demented and evil, make sure you don’t miss Stray.
