E - Ribviews

Whether they’re straight out of the kitchen or have been sitting under a heat lamp for a minute, here is a sample of releases Ribbers decided to taste. Like other zines, we have rated them, but with our own complicated culinary system – from one rib (lowest) to five ribs (bestest).

Eagle Seagull (Paper Garden). 4 ½ ribs- midwest meat.
There’s something inspiring about music that comes out of Omaha, Nebraska. There’s an almost ever-present indie rock brand on everything, though bands with that moniker blur their boundaries and carry their own weight. Eagle Seagull have their own corn-fed vibe, with bleak, ominous clouds looming over half their tunes and a twisted positive flip side.
The self-titled album is incredibly moody. It opens with the dooming “Lock And Key” followed by upbeat and hopeful “Photograph.” While the entire album is stellar, highlights include: the morose “It Was A Lovely Parade,” the deceivingly charming “Your Beauty Is A Knife I Turn On My Throat,” “Holy,” which is a celebration of life, though it’s dripping with tears. I have to plug myself into this one. For someone who spent a year in a halfway house in Omaha in the late ‘80s, I know how ya feel boys. Wait a few months and the sun will eventually show its face again. Will Jordan

Earth Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method (Southern Lord Recordings). 4 ½ ribs--Belly-bursting goodness!
Nearly fifteen years have passed since Dylan Carlson formed the band Earth in Olympia, Washington. The droning sounds of the bands saturated, detuned guitars escaped the clutches of Seattle’s so-called “grunge” movement during the early 90s. Earth, enjoying a steady rotation of musicians, honed their sound during this time and continued to grow in talent, power, and influence. Bands such as sunn0))) owe a great deal to Earth.
Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method is the band’s first studio album in nine years. Whereas earlier releases achieve “monolithic darkness” by traditional means, this recording meets the same goal through a variety of techniques. Distortion pedals have been replaced with the pristine crispness of telecaster-like twang running through various sorts of tremolo, compression, echo, and gobs of lovely, gorgeous reverb.
The record label describes Earth’s sound as “Dark Americana” and I can think of nothing more fitting. There is a definite western vibe lurking beneath the spacey guitars and sluggish, but astonishingly gargantuan, drum beats. This album would be a fitting soundtrack for an isolated, dusty desert setting at dusk or dawn. This feeling is accentuated by wind chimes and very delicate, subtle steel pedal guitars.
Everything about this recording serves a singular purpose – to set a relaxed, yet eerie, tone for the listener. There are no vocals whatsoever. Every note is played carefully and deliberately and manages to compress a great deal of emotion and meaning within a small space of time. The music is distant, relaxing, wonderful, and at times even sad. The tempo is slow and the songs are long. Some people may get bored with this material, but I would wager they are not listening as carefully as they should. If you are a fan of slow, spacey music and need a laid-back, beautiful addition to your collection, consider this album. Shane Newsome

Want to join Rib Magazine's e-mail list? Contact us