ALBUM REVIEW: The Van Pelt - Artisans & Merchants
New York's The Van Pelt are back after a quarter century hiatus with their same familiar sound. The group have reunited over the years namely 2014 in which they released "Imaginary Third" a compilation of previously unreleased material before subsequently breaking up again. Having regrouped in 2017 they’re finally ready to show they still have plenty to say!
"Artisans & Merchants" combines the raw post-punk with post-rock adding majestic spoken word vocals. The album features decumbent, rambling melodies with frequent bursts of chiming guitars and scuzzy beats. The vocals are arty, post-modern with occasional beautiful sung melodies.
Sometimes boasting full attitude others feeling light and whimsical. Emotional themes, expected intellect it feels like a record they could have put out in the 90's not wavering from their expected distinctive sound. The production is more modern but the overall noise will be warmly received by any hardened fan.
The lyrics give themes of personal quests, joy of being alive, frustration, notions of antiestablishmentarianism and excessive drinking followed by killer hangovers. It feels like a journey through the back streets of New York, taking in all the sights and sounds the city has to offer.
Standout tracks are 'Grid' high adrenaline and pretentious energy. Words about meeting a girl and her being all "loser please" as you try to catch her attention. Lost keys, lost wallet and the adelation of going to gigs. As you listen you can envisage yourself being in an underground NYC club watching people and they embark on their nightly activities. Album finale 'Love Is Brutal' is a harrowing 7 minutes of darkness and uncertainty, a state of mind that feels deeply unsettling.
It’s always felt like The Van Pelt disappeared leaving so much unsaid, "Artisans & Merchants" ties up loose ends and completes unfinished business.
