Weekly Release Spotlight: Quilt
Posted on 1/01/2012
Quilt
Quilt
Mexican Summer
Quilt
Mexican Summer
Timing is everything these days. While the entirety of the music community is reexamining the beauty of simplicity in the music of the 60s & 70s as a reaction against current popular music. This movement bases itself on the 'chill' aspects of life- on being comfortable with taking the time needed to get there and actually enjoying the ride. Quilt, a three-piece from Boston have been making their delightfully soulful psych folk since forming while studying at The School of Museum of Fine Arts. As most artists, they've taken their influences and meld the fabric of time to traverse many generations of musical accomplishments and created a sound that will forever be Quilt's.
In the mesmerizing track "Milo," the trio harmonizes and repeats over and over the line "Lost In Your Head, Why Won't You Let Yourself Be?" There is a strong trust between the group's music in general, and "Milo" shows their prowess as artists that they can simultaneously be experimenting with classical song structure while progressing the tension of the track. When listened to loudly, you can almost feel yourself being pulled between the eras from which they draw inspiration, yet the balance is just enough so you don't move at all. You become perfectly motionless while the music lets you forget about that darn smart phone and emails and the stresses of modern life. Similar feelings arise during the second track off the album - "Cowboys In The Void" - the combination of playful harmonizing and the toe-tapping beat creates imagery of the members of Quilt as space travelers harnessing the power of the ether and capturing it on tape. They draw upon this power for the track "Children of Light" as they play with resonating reverb scintillating the outskirts of the sonic body.
Another standout track is "Penobska Oakwalk" as the group performs an enchanting Ode to the Momma's And The Poppas as they trip over bricks of their personal existence. One of the most enchanting parts of the entire album is the bands' dedication to singing about the group - every song is a group experience and no individual focuses the track on themselves. Their dedication to the group experience says loads for these college aged kids. I recommend listening to this album in its entirety at high volumes with a close group of friends to get the full experience. On their first full length release, Quilt has created an extremely high bar for themselves to beat on their next album - I just wonder what edge of the universe they'll bring us to next time.
Stream: Quilt - "Cowboys In The Void"