armchair cultural observation since 1995

News and Notes: Chesnutt and Elf Power collaborate

A tuneful collision of Athens, Georgia’s Vic Chesnutt and Elf Power has birthed The Amorphous Strums and a nine-song recording due out on Orange Twin Records Oct. 28, according to a press release.

Counting his two collaborations with Widespread Panic under the moniker brute, Dark Developments is Chesnutt’s 15th album. Elf Power, of the renown Elephant 6 collective, is the latest of a long line of acts to collaborate with Chesnutt that includes the likes of Lampchop, A Silver Mt. Zion, Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto and famed guitarist Bill Frisell.

From the press release:

“As intriguing as this combination may seem for hardcore fans of either act, the final sonic results reveal a daunting sum much greater than even the involvement of such esteemed parts would imply. The Elves’ lived-in dexterity as a live band goads Vic’s vocal delivery to a menacing new muscularity, imbuing this batch of songs with a sinister vibe not dissimilar to John Cale’s black classic Fear, the harsh, articulate sleaze of Lou Reed’s Street Hassle or the defeated low key soul-music of Nick Lowe’s last few records. As useful as these benchmark-records are in identifying Dark Developments‘ own unique spirit, this record truly stands on its own as a brilliant statement, a classic addition to Athens’ legendary pantheon, and, most importantly, as an organic meeting of two separately-evolved and vital musical entities that never feels forced, flashy or false. This is an important album endemic of a natural partnership, and a great way to spend an afternoon.”

Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power and The Amorphous Strums
Dark Developments Track Listing:
Release Date: October 28th, 2008

01. Mystery
02. Little Fucker
03. And How
04. Teddy Bear
05. We Are Mean
06. Stop The Horse
07. Bilocating Dog
08. The Mad Passion of The Stoic
09. Phil The Fiddler

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