The Accidental Falls

Description

When acclaimed poet and former Tim Buckley collaborator Larry Beckett first offered Chris Slusarenko and John Moen of Eyelids to write new lyrics for their next record as well as giving them access to his words from the last four decades, the musicians werent sure Eyelids soaring brand of guitar driven rock would jibe with someone elses lyrics (including a song that was written with Buckley). It was Larrys trust in us that really caused us to think we should do it, Moen says. When someone like that is into your work to the degree they want to collaborate, it definitely feeds your confidence.

On The Accidental Falls Portland, Oregons Eyelids, one of rocks best-kept secrets, step firmly out from the considerable shadow cast by the band members second-to-none pedigrees earned from time spent in Guided By Voices, The Decemberists, Stephen Malkmus and Elliott Smiths bands. Produced by REM iconoclast Peter Buck who also plays on the record with Tucker Martine (Decemberists, My Morning Jacket, Neko Case) and Heba Kadry (Deerhunter, Bjork) who mixed and mastered the record respectively. The Accidental Falls features a bountiful cacophony of gorgeously shimmering riffs and songs so delectably crafted that all who value the electric guitar (three to be exact) as a source of pure joy. Created with long time members, Jonathan Drews (guitar), Jim Taltstra (bass) and Paulie Pulvirenti (drums), Eyelids fourth album finds the outfit as both stewards of a classic sound (Alex Chiltonites and disciples of early REM or later XTC will fall hard for this project) and accomplished artists propelling their craft to thrilling new heights.

Their first record was released in the UK by Tim Burgess and the band toured the UK previously with their friends, Drive-By Truckers. Slusarenkos relationship with Buck goes back to 1983 when REM fanboy Chris wrote Peter a gushing letter that Buck answered, leading to a meeting in 84, displaying how full circle things have come for the songwriter and guitarist. The magic of being fated to find one of your heroes producing your record a half a century later isnt lost on Slusarenko.

Peter has always been amazing for us. Having your hero become a friend and collaborator is such a dream and does so much for the band, the guitarist says. Even though weve been working together for years now, sometimes you look up in the studio and think Holy shit, weve got Peter Buck working on our record.’ As they typically write the music first and add lyrics later, Becketts compositions allowed Eyelids to wholly focus on the music and the result is stunning. Already the bands trademark, the delectably shimmering guitar playing on The Accidental Falls is utterly spellbinding and deeply imbued with joyous emotion-rock n roll as catharsis. The Accidental Falls sees the band expound upon that sound and push it to new heights. The paisley psychedelia of Dream and River provide a perfect sonic palette cleanser to the cacophonous crashing of drums and guitars the peaks of songs like Ceremony and the Elliott Smith-indebted Monterey provide. The Accidental Falls casts a hypnotic spell over the listener and triumphantly reminds us, hearts fully on sleeves, why we fell in love with rock n roll in the first place