Erie Choir “Slighter Awake” (Sit-N-Spin 2007)

Sorry About Dresden front man has nothing to apologise for on this compelling set

Last year Erie Choir appeared alongside 3 other bands on a decent compilation on Pox World Empire records and now after 5 years in the making they present their first full length. The result is classic songwriting filtered through an indie-rock attitude with the songs tightly constructed, each element thoughtfully placed but without any of the attendant pretension that often mars this kind of endeavour. Key word is craft, the songs ingrained with care and attention.

Snaky guitar lines, regiments of piano notes held together with sinewy rhythms form the bass, sometimes reaching further, hitting the heights. ‘Trunion Pike’ understated in the beginning, embellished with cello and piano dancing around each other whilst the others watch on, then vocal and guitar refreshed and revived are joined by a choral eruption of melody; quite lovely. Eric Roehrig is the auteur at work with ‘Lullaby for Jon Grieves’ - he uses a jaunty pop template adding vivacious violins, while ‘10CC’ belies its origins in consummate polished songwriting, the chorus simple and affecting without being manipulative.

Roehrig has a good habit of linking pairs of songs, thematically or musically; ‘Central Services’ and the excellent ‘Woken Up Broken Up’ share lyrical concerns, and where the former is full of urban sophistication with complex arrangements, the latter opts for rustic bar room piano, banjo and lap steel giving a squinting at the sun morning after feel where the moments of coalescence are open-aired waltzes, slow-moving rivers and curls of barbecue smoke.

As adept as Roehrig is at arranging, he is just as effective when the instrumentation is stripped down: ‘Favourite Foto’ and ‘How It’s Done’ use a three piece line-up showcasing the songwriting and the warm performances. This is a terrific set of songs.

Date review added:  Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Reviewer:  David Cowling
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Join the choir