North Carolina duo Des Ark manages to craft an intriguing and diverse sound from the simple raw materials of one guitar, drums, and hauntingly sexual female vocals. The debut, recorded by J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr fame, showcases a band very much aware of what it wants to do, and more than capable of achieving its goals. The result is a nuanced indie-rock sound that recalls Blonde Redhead in its more restrained moments, periodically launching into full-on rock bombast a la recent touring partners Engine Down. Aimee Argote’s phenomenal vocals are the focal point of Des Ark’s sound. Her operatic style allows for a wide range of moods and provides a stable foundation for the band’s varied instrumental attack. Her versatile guitar playing ranges from loud, dissonant chords to long passages of carefully arranged single-note picking. Tim Herzog, formerly of Milemarker, proves a suitable partner on the drums, playing with ferocity but never losing control or allowing his pounding to overwhelm Argote. The album is bookended by two tracks that feature Argote’s vocals and guitar in a more intimate setting – “Some are Love” and “For Rob Riecke” demonstrate the sophistication of the songwriting here, as the lack of volume serves to heighten the tension and the latent sexual energy which permeates the album. “It’s a Hard World Sometimes for Little Things” employs a clean piano sound that flows with Argote’s quiet guitar lines perfectly. “Jesus Loves You (But Yr Still Coming Home With Me Tonight),” over the course of its six minutes, showcases the band’s entire range, from the opening cacophony to two-plus minutes of near-silence, before building up subtly towards the end, and finally resolving itself quietly. Interestingly, almost half the songs here feature one or more internal breaks, parts separated by a few seconds of silence. Des Ark’s diverse debut is dripping with confidence and executed beautifully.
Tracklist
1. Some Are Love
2. No More Fighting Cats, OK?
3. Queen of the Sketch Patrol
4. Yes Sir, Yes Way
5. It's a Hard World Sometimes for Little Things
6. Jesus Loves You (But Yr Still Comin Home With Me Tonight)
7. Send Jolley to Raleigh
8. For Bob Riecke
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