Local acts Tent City and The History of a Family recently decided to create their own collective label (Squared Recordings) with another band, Coalbed, and this split 7-inch release is the first product of their labor.
Tent City burst onto the Salem scene last winter with its unique blend of old-world instrumentation and modern alternative sensibilities, releasing its debut album “The Valley In Autumn” last spring on local label Blueberry Hill Records. The debut was solely created by front-man Christopher Ward, and in this writer’s opinion was one of Salem’s best of 2011.
Tent City’s contribution to the 7-inch, Morozko, is the first Tent City recording that includes performances by the live band, and the difference is noticeable, with a fuller, lusher sound. “Morozko” leans more to the gypsy-Euro-folk side of Tent City’s tendencies, employing a waltz-time signature and a heavy dose of strings, accordion and folk percussion. The production is complex and interesting, with overdubbed whispers and various other tricks. It should also be noted that Ward’s vocal performance is better than anything on “The Valley In Autumn,” which limited some of the titles on the debut album (maybe because of production limitations or time constraints?).
The other side of the split 7-inch is occupied by singer-songwriter Christopher McFetridge’s trance-inducing The History of a Family. McFetridge’s vocal delivery resembles that of Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard, but with accents of musical saw, dissonant guitar, and reverb-drenched backing vocals, the accompaniment takes on an eerier edge than any of Gibbard’s work of which I’m aware. Also, the closing is pretty magnificent, fading McFetridge’s vocals into a chorus grander than what the song previously suggests.
The record is recommended for vinyl junkies who dig local music and/or darker folk. It is available at Ranch Records (237 High St. NE) and at Tent City and The History of a Family concerts (see Live Beat) for around $5.
