Spring Break
Five albums to warm your winter
Andrew Klatzke
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Amusement
As the winter months begin to approach and the leaves fall from the trees, there are a number of albums that resonate in this atmosphere with the utmost style. Here, I've compiled five of these albums that I believe encompass this feeling rather brilliantly.
Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice: The name alone says it; this album is intended to be a companion on cold lonely nights. The art, a barren wasteland of frozen tundra, is in stark contrast to the album's sound; one of smooth, collected cacophony. Minus the Bear's musicians are some of the best, and while Jake Snider's smooth monotonous croon bothers some people, it's the perfect anchor to their technical electronics and guitars. The lyrics are, in contrast to Snider's sometimes cold tone, full of passion and intelligent songwriting. For example, "Throwin' Shapes" sports the lines: "Moving from sea to land dancing,/ swinging with the boats out there./ She steps on toes if she wants to./ No one's saying no; she wouldn't care." Lyrical passages like this convey the perfect level of emotion to accompany his smooth voice, and it's his voice that makes this album the perfect companion for a late, snowy drive or a walk to class when you're bundled under five layers of North Face.
Wintersleep - Welcome to the Night Sky: In addition to being my favorite album, well, ever, Welcome to the Night Sky is an incredible album for the changing season. The folk twang of songs like "Weighty Ghost" and "Archaeologist" radiate a tone of elated change. Falling leaves are the perfect companion to Paul Murphy's hushed vocals, and the incredible and dark buildups on tracks like "Murder" and "Early in the Morning" fit the sometimes despondent air of the dying summer. Not only is Murphy a soothing voice behind the mic, Loell Campbell's drumming is incredibly hard to best. On the aforementioned "Murderer" he plays an integral role in the buildup and eventual release of the track. The lyrics, like most other albums mentioned, are incredibly well-crafted, and in this season where introspection seems to be the norm, they're a real treat.
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