Associated Acts: Destroyer, The New Pornographers,
Swan Lake
Place of Origin: Vancouver, BC Canada
Other than loving the three Destroyer albums and two New Pornographer albums I own, I don't have a very solid argument for why I think Dan Bejar is a totally under appreciated (or at least under recognized) musical genius. Not only is he a tremendously ambitious writer and vocalist, both well-read and well spoken, but his music spans two decades and multiple genres. I've embedded a few tracks that give you an idea of some of his work. I recommend checking out the album Destroyer's Rubies, as well as a limited edition EP from last year called Bay of Pigs. He recently released a spit 10" with Tim Hecker and Loscil (also from Canada) called Archer On The Beach. It's even more ambient and mellow that the Bay of Pigs EP, and nothing like his previous output. I believe Destroyer is slated for another full length LP before the end of the year. Enjoy these offerings and pick up some of his music for yourself.
1. This track is called "European Oils," and is off Destroyer's 2006 album, Destroyer's Rubies. The song's lyrical scope, as well as the mixture of cascading piano and Bejar's harmonies, make for a beautiful track. I love section two minutes in about the hangman's daughter needing to be at peace with her father, "the fucking maniac." The guitar solo immediately following is an amazingly catchy, fuzzed out release. But the entire track is built around three small verses, and is a wonderful composition with the addition of subtle brass and space to evolve.
Destroyer - European Oils from The Bitter End on Vimeo.
2. This track is called "Bay of Pigs," and is off the EP of the same name. It's amazing to me that Bejar is crafting such detailed rock music like "European Oils," but able to adapt himself to new genres of music such as disco and electronic. This track is nearly fourteen minutes long, so be patient and allow it to build to its enjoyable transition around seven and a half minutes in.
Destroyer, 'Bay of Pigs' by elpuma70
3. This track is called "Rubies," and is the (title?) track off the Destroyer's Rubies album. I fell in love with this track for many reasons, but I love the distant, metalic, Soft Bulletin era Flaming Lips drums, catchy lead and rhythm guitars (both electric and acoustic), and the amount of musical shifts that take place throughout the nine and a half minute song. As I've come to expect from Bejar, I love his voice most when he's using it as an instrument--as harmonic accompaniment to the mood. One of my favorite tracks in the last year. Check it out:
3 comments:
It's Gonna Take an Airplane off the Your Blues album is one of my favorite songs.
Just found you blog (via Sean) cool stuff. Will be visiting often. Hope all is well my friend!
Matt
Hey man! How the hell are you? Thanks for checking it out! Oddly enough, I JUST got the Your Blues album this afternoon. I'll definitely check out "It's Gonna Take an Airplane" tonight. Hope all is well with you, too.
Those drums at the beginning of Rubies are my favorite thing Destroyer has ever done (I really like them, too). Don't listen to it through shitty speakers, people!
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