Perch Patchwork by Maps & Atlases
LABEL: Barsuk Records

Perch Patchwork, the new album from Chicago’s Maps & Atlases, is exactly what a true fan of the band would want it to be. Simply put, it is chock full of classic M&A’s counter-punctual style, while offering the listener with a departure from their norm to keep it interesting.

“Wonderfully on-point guitars complemented by strongly delivered bass lines, from Erin Elders and Shiraz Dada respectively, are presented in an up-tempo pop setting...”

This is evident from the very first track of the album, “Will,” a wordless acoustic guitar romp through the aching melodies of singer/guitarist Dave Davison. Perfectly showcasing what happens to be this reviewer’s favorite aspect of the band, that is, their ability to take what is simple and make it uniquely beautiful. The album progresses to “The Charm,” a wonderfully moving tune, again, ripe with a beating drum line, courtesy of Chris Hainey. It starts off with the line “I don’t think there is a sound that I hate more than the sound of your voice. You say that you don’t love me anymore...” You can’t really go wrong here, unless you somehow make those words seem trite and clichéd (looking at you, Snow Patrol!), not to mention it contains one of my favorite choruses I've heard this year.

Another fine attribute of this album is its flow. Every song seamlessly flows into the other, sans hiccup. The third and fourth tracks, “Living Decorations” and the album’s single “Solid Ground” are classic Maps & Atlases. Wonderfully on-point guitars complemented by strongly delivered bass lines, from Erin Elders and Shiraz Dada respectively, are presented in an up-tempo pop setting—the complete Maps & Atlases package, all musical pistons firing in perfect rhythm.

The fifth track, “Is” offers an acoustic departure for M&A, though it still retains hints of their contemporaries, complete with an almost Arcade Fire-level organ track, drowning in reverb. This, then, draws the listener into “Israeli Caves,” which, initially, caught me by surprise. Unbelievably lush harmonies, 1960s crooning and jangling guitar, fall into a sharp chorus, filled with ”˜la’s and ”˜ah’s galore.

This is all, of course one big scene-setter for the title track. Acoustic guitars, accompanied by lively strings and reeds, chiming in to anchor the waltz. As mentioned, it’s the flow of the album that presents itself as the album’s best characteristic. It fits— a well-worn path for the ear to follow. On many levels, this is a great album.


REVIEWED BY BENJAMIN MARX
BENJAMIN’S FAVORITE TRACKS: “Will” • “Living Decorations” • “Perch Patchwork”



[Read the Groovemine interview with Maps & Atlases]





“Solid Ground” (right-click & save)