Cubs
Stonewater
Rusted Rail 2007

01. Jimjam
02. Cool Filter
03. Junkgroove
04. Opening Doors
05. Bottlehum
06. In Memory of Marines Lost at Sea
07. Bijou Banjolin
08. Mountain Folk Wandering
09. Lanterning

Though there've been talks about diversifying formats, people at Rusted Rail seem to have grown quite fond of 3-inches. Two of them found a way onto this page before (if you remember Plinth/Loner Deluxe) and left a mark, keeping me curious about the next. Cubs members are all active in the field of acoustics, recording as United Bible Studies, but I am told Stonewater somewhat differs from the usual style. "Formed under the influence of long winter nights and the avoidance of musical hibernation"... In other words, they took their instruments and got it done in one night-session, while sure getting boozed up nicely, since they don't remember much (an approximate recounter was attempted in the liner notes). What could be more simple than that? Or rather does it have to be complex? I guess you wouldn't know until you listen. Critics have already cited No Necks Blues Band, Tower Recordings, even Six Organs of Admittance as a reference: not too dense, not over the top - just quietly and gently improvised harmonics, organic and calm as the ebb of the tides. For a 20-minute run, it's kind of super nice to say the least, thus leads to serious frustrations: we need a Cubs full-length, as soon as possible (get more booze, do it again, get out there in the world). Meanwhile, the 3-inch minidisc still reigns and sets the Irish on a good, respected orbit.

>> mihd (23mb)
>> love it, buy it (Rusted Rail)