Espers – “II ” – [Drag City]

Highly anticipated proper sophomore release from this
expanding band more than delivers the goods. Greg Weeks,
Meg Baird and Brooke Sietinsons have mitotically grown
in number, and exponentionally flowered in sound as well.
Flower is the apt metaphor here, despite naming their
recent tide-me-over-with-covers EP “Weed Tree” Espers
have always embraced a lush garden of music. Exquisite
harmonies and delicate petals of pedals marked their
work, the first release was a study in tone. Here the
focus is on pacing and notably stretching, the melodies
heave hearty breaths. Pleasant eternities come and go
on their chord patterns, only when you look into the
very stamen of each chord to you see the interesting
new Espers growth. Their gorgeous bouquets have tiny
microchip metallic mirrors embedded within the blossom’s
bosom. Tricked out electronics accentuate most of the
pieces on this album, but retain the organic spirit of
the song and the Espers’ ethic. Again Espers vocals
are always oustanding, channelling a Wickerman brand
of druidic mystery. This is a memorable release that
marks Espers as potential rivals to Ghost for leading
psych beauty with a house that is burgeoning. At this
rate Espers IV will be a 12-piece band of like-minded
sonic apostles, each beaming towards the same source
of pyscho-heliotropic heaven. -Thurston Hunger