Maps & Atlases'
second EP,
You and Me and the Mountain
, found the band moving in a lighter direction than the mathematical frenzy of their first EP
Trees, Swallows, Houses
. Their first full-length sees them fully morphed into a sophisticated indie pop group.
Perch Patchwork
is a bold debut, filled with bombastic arrangements, twisting modal progressions, and percussive layers. The skill set is high, but it's far less showy. Guitarists will still be enthralled by
Dave Davidson'
s and
Erin Elders'
fingertapping, but acoustics take precedent, and moderately slow tempos maintain the album's balladic feel. If
felt like a cousin to
Don Cab
or
Hella
, their first
Barsuk
outing has adapted the organic spirit of their Northwestern labelmates (particularly that of
Menomena
,
the Long Winters
, and
John Vanderslice
.) Of course, with
Maps & Atlases
' virtuosic chops and syncopated leanings, they kind of resemble
BLK JKS
Minus the Bear
, albeit with a
Jethro Tull
influence. Trendy South African rhythms and austere strings spin a web around
Davidson
's poetic lyrics, and in this intricate, introspective setting, their talent becomes very clear. ~ Jason Lymangrover