Wye Oak are a duo out of Baltimore made up of Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner. Since 2006, their tenure has produced three albums, as well as last year's EP My Neighbor/My Creator, of stark and brooding music that relied heavily on the well-worn indie rock sensibility of LOUDquietLOUD. Lots of bands have built their nesteggs on that bedrock. The ones that breakthrough and leave their indelible mark on music do so with that extra intangible that keeps listeners coming back. For Wye Oak, that moment of truth comes on Civilian where they have never have to lean too heavily on harsh bluster. Instead their latest focuses on well crafted, tuneful music that moves mountains with the gentlest whispers.
The opening track of Civilian begins with the ambiance of a crowded theater setting up the anticipation of an event. Yet "Two Small Deaths" does not come off strong or heavy-handed. The simple guitar and ethereal vocals are a gentle push, building from subtlety. "The Alter" continues on this path, building momentum with a swelling tempo and throbbing organ while using the wordplay in the title to encourage the album's tangential religious theme. The first shakedown comes on "Holy Holy" where Wasner's guitar channels Sister-era Sonic Youth blasts of noise that never disturb her deadpan vocals. However, the song truly accomplishes its goal by muting the dissonance in favor of satisfying pop finish bursting to fruition. The Sonic Youth reference continues with the clatter of "Dogs Eyes" if only to prove that they can deftly traverse the avenues between harmony and discord.
The title track continues Civilian's streak of affected, anxious music with a pleasing outcome. The slow build is haunting yet ultimately alluring with outlaw riffs propelled by an insistent galloping beat from Stack. "Fish" has an ebb and flow that etches out a moment of lovely without losing any energy. It is merely the set-up before the uppercut of "Plains", where the unexpected sound blasts are stunning, but never distract from the woozy mood. By the time the awkward, lonely guitar of "Doubt" finishes Civilian, it is welcome and fitting for an album that is thick with the efforts of a band realizing their desired intention.
There is a lot of studied consideration on Civilian. The evidence can be seen in each song, perhaps an influence referenced, a vocal inflection utilized or an earnest melody found, that makes each song memorable. The ten songs are thoughtfully plotted like the elements of a treasure map where the general direction is sketched but the details are discovered during the journey. It is this kind of marked achievement that is not easily forgotten and should bring Wye Oak the attention and accolades they richly deserve.
Bonus: Check out the new video for "Fish" below.
Purchase Civilian here.
Civilian
Fish
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