Munly and the Lupercalians
Petr and the Wolf
(Alternative Tentacles)
Listed in press materials as “the first installment in a multi-album set describing The Kinnery of Lupercalia,” the newest album from Gothic-Americana artist Jay Munly is a retelling of “a story about which most have been woefully misinformed.” That story is “Peter and the Wolf.” Instead of horns, woodwinds, and other orchestral instruments, Munly’s version employs banjo, saloon keyboard, and metal drums (even an actual barbecue smoker). Lyrically, each track on the record corresponds to a character (or characters) from the story and is named accordingly. For example, the eight minute-plus “Three Wise Hunters” features verses sung from the perspective of each hunter and shifts rhythmically in response to the changes in voice. While such a detailed narrative makes for a curious yet entrancing experience, many listeners could get lost amidst the overly verbose lyrics. —Michael Cimaomo
*
Doug Ratner and The Watchmen
Eye to Eye
(independent)
This Western Mass. band shows a lot of promising creativity; the songs on Eye to Eye are catchy, with solid lyrics, melodies and cadences, and the beats are on the mark. Combined with the production, these compositions feel more like 1975 than 2010, though there are some nice guitar arpeggios woven throughout that likely were absorbed somewhere between U2 and Radiohead. Some songs are more rock (“Red Head”) and some more countrified or Dead/CSNY-flavored (“Dust Part 2,” “Alone Again”), but they’re all well-executed and pleasing to the ear. If there’s anything missing in the mix, it’s a really well thought-out complementary bass part—maybe because two different players are credited on the CD. The whole effort would be well served by more sensitive work on the bottom end, more motion without noodling. Best tune: “Melatonin.” —Tom Sturm
*
British Sea Power
Zeus
(Rough Trade)
Coming in at 33-plus minutes (or 43 minutes on the vinyl version), this generous disc from a group of U.K. indie rockers is a sprawling precursor to the band’s just-released fourth studio album. It opens with the seven-minute title track, which manages to name check Nikita Kruschev as well as English chef Rick Stein. A variety of styles are explored throughout over jittery guitar, electronic squeals, and pounding drums. Frequently, lead vocalist Scott “Yan” Wilkinson’s distorted shouts take center stage, but he also knows how to deliver the ballad-like “Bear.”
Unfortunately, a release filled with so many ideas can mean songs lack focus. “Mongk” has a trance-like quality with non-stop techno drumming, but it remains impenetrable due to lyrics weaving hazily in and out. Here’s hoping the full-length irons out the rougher edges. —Michael Cimaomo
