Albums
The Pica Beats - Beating Back The Claws Of The Cold [Hardly Art]
by Ryan Lowell
November 4, 2008
The Pica Beats - Beating Back The Claws Of The Cold [Hardly Art]
by Ryan Lowell
November 4, 2008
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
Equipped with folky acoustic hooks‚ a prominent horn section and mythical lyrics about Ra the Egyptian sun god‚ Neutral Milk Hotel… um‚ The Pica Beats commence Beating Back The Claws Of The Cold. But while much of the young group's sound can be directly linked to a certain other band whose name I won't mention‚ Claws has enough strong moments to exist in its own right. A relaxed effort from start to finish‚ Claws offers melodic indie-folk that gradually builds instead of getting loud to command attention. What results an album that's perfect for rainy-day pondering or an introspective road trip‚ but sometimes too mellow to keep listeners hanging on singer Ryan Barrett's every word.
What makes the album sound great (in the background or forefront) is the depth in the instrumentation. Apart from standard guitar and drum sound‚ Pica Beats add fullness with their aforementioned horn section and a sitar. And while many young groups use such instruments to mask their lack of talent‚ Pica Beats have the chops to make it work. On "Hikikomori & The Rental Sisters‚" the group blend eastern with indie in a track that would have fit right in on Wes Anderson's Darjeeling Limeted soundtrack. Other songs like "Summer Cutting Kale" and "Shrinking Violets" gain a fuller sound by including an oboe and female vocals respectively.
Claws does take a minor misstep by having two of the first five songs instrumental. It's not that the instrumentals aren't strong‚ as "Martine‚ As Heavy Lifter" perfectly showcases Barrett's sitar skills‚ but given the already slow-paced nature of Claws‚ Pica Beats could keep more new listeners tuned in by pushing instrumental interlude lower in the lineup. In the end‚ though‚ what matters is whether the songs are good or not‚ and even the misplaced instrumentals deserve to be on the album. Claws requires some patience‚ but it has a lot of fun moments to offer those who stick with it.
suggestions
Features: Staff Picks: Best of 2010
Blog: Tom Hamilton's Truth: Soul
Shows: Phish
Blog: Big Heavy World turns 13
Shows: Cold War Kids
More on: The Pica Beats
Features: Staff Picks: Best of 2010
Blog: Tom Hamilton's Truth: Soul
Shows: Phish
Blog: Big Heavy World turns 13
Shows: Cold War Kids
More on: The Pica Beats
new to state of mind
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
random awesomeness
Shows: moe.
Shows: Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven
Blog: Video: Bob Dylan - "Duquesne Whistle"
Shows: American Babies with Turbine
Blog: Me and my friends over the weekend...
Blog: Mehliana Tour (Brad Mehldau + Mark Guiliana)
Shows: Medeski Martin and Wood & Antibalas
Blog: Best Songs of 2012: The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - "Devil's Look Like Angel's"
Shows: Marco Benevento
Shows: Jackie Greene
Shows: moe.
Shows: Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven
Blog: Video: Bob Dylan - "Duquesne Whistle"
Shows: American Babies with Turbine
Blog: Me and my friends over the weekend...
Blog: Mehliana Tour (Brad Mehldau + Mark Guiliana)
Shows: Medeski Martin and Wood & Antibalas
Blog: Best Songs of 2012: The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - "Devil's Look Like Angel's"
Shows: Marco Benevento
Shows: Jackie Greene