Red Steers "The Fever Fold" EP
I’m disappointed. Very disappointed in fact. Red Steers’ new EP The Fever Fold is the first I had of heard of this act that I wish I’d discovered sooner. Daniel Johnston, not singer/songwriter and creator of artwork worn by Kurt Cobain, but the Wellington based musician, is the artist behind the name and I don’t use the word lightly. While the name Red Steer seems to join other zoologically named acts – see Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, Deer Hunter, etc – this EP is a work of art containing alluring elements; driving percussion, blossoming harmonies and the feeling that you are venturing into an unknown world of beauty.
The five track EP has the same layered sound, particularly in Home that you find in Bon Iver’s work but there is an almost childlike intensity to this music. It gives the impression that this is what Karen O and The Kids would sound like had there been hallucinogenic drugs involved in the production of the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack. The forward momentum in the percussion of opening track Canoe, when blended with the vocal harmonies, to me, created the image of a train flying through the countryside, catching glimpses of otherworldly lands out the frosty window.
The mystical sound seeps into new single Night Hawkes with vocals sounding like they owe more to composition software Sibelius than real voices, which is certainly no bad thing. Then in comes the percussion, sounding like something straight out of MIA’s newest work. Overall an awesomely atmospheric piece filled with synths and sliding melodies, grounded by the pounding drum beat.
The Fever Fold not only creates a world but drags you on a bona fide contiki tour while it’s at it. A whirlwind drive to the hotspots, fitting an entire land into a mere five tracks. The layered sounds occasionally make lyrics indiscernible but this in no way takes away from the wonderland imagined.
A brilliant EP where, for the listener, reality isn’t needed to enjoy it’s beauty.
Download: Red Steers – The Fever Fold EP (for FREE) via A Low Hum.
I liked this album too, and the Night Hawkes song makes me want to dance all interpretive-like.