Seely, Winter Birds (Koch) 9
Winter Birds is Atlanta, Georgia-based Seely's fourth album. The initial hype about Seely was that they were the first American band to be signed to the once-maverick Too Pure label. Initially they sounded like an amalgamation of several like-minded bands. Now they have developed their own sound as distinct as former labelmates Stereolab and Laika. Producer Steve Askew and engineer Scott Herren must have heard the German electronica of Mouse On Mars, Oval, and Marcus Popp's work with The Sea And Cake and Jim O'Rourke. The skittering sounds of manipulated CDs and sputtering bleeps permeate "El Cajon" and "Alias Grace," resulting in a busier, yet still nimble mix. The instrumental "Sapelo Sound" merges a soaring pop melody with a wobbly, dreamy wash of synths. Joy Waters takes us on a seven minute trip to cities around the world in "Planes Circle Do," with a tremelo guitar flying alongside. Joy's soft coo and Steven Satterfield's disembodied drone have been perfected in their understated blending with the dreamy textures of delicate guitars and wavy organs and synthesizers. Seely strive for the effect that was pioneered by the cool jazz bands in the 50s -- intellectually engaging and complex, yet soothing. A deceptively modest goal, and one they pull off swimmingly.
