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June 20, 2006

Good Shit from Ariel Pink and Matt Fishbeck

I was tempted to call this post "Holy Shit, Ariel Pink Records a Good Album!", but I deemed it too harsh. I mean, there's alot to like in Ariel Pink's homemade opuses, but usually even more to scratch your head over. On all of his records, you can find a handful of strong, classic pop songs (albeit buried under a layer of lo-fi guaze). But he's more likely to totally tank a strong melody with an unbearably goofy intrusion. Take "Every Night I Die at Miyagis" from the House Arrest LP released earlier this year. It starts fine with sun warped guitar and a chugging rythym, but just as you're convinced that you've unearthed another gem from the basement vaults, Pink comes on in a Borat-esque Eastern European accent and ruins the song by yelling about pussy. Why? Dunno? That's the problem. Sometimes it's an ill-timed falsetto, sometimes it's a crazy person rant, but it seems like the dude just can't help but sabotage a large percentage of the stuff he writes.

Enter Matt Fishbeck, former member of turn of the century alt band the Push Kings, and Pink's partner in crime for a new project called, cough, Holy Shit. Their debut record, Stranded at Two Harbors was recently released through Uunited Acoustic Record Company (not a typo). Ariel's trademark fuzzed out sound is still in full effect, but Fishbeck provides smoother, more emotionally direct vocals. More importantly, he also seems to serve as a needed editor. What sounds like a good idea, alone with a four track, might not fly when you have to perform it for a collaborator. While the album is still guilty of burying a few otherwise fine songs under a thick fog, there aren't too many moments of disruption that are unforgivable (given you've already made peace with the band name). Plus, there are some moments that are sublime.

Holy Shit - "Written All Over Your Face"

This song is excellent. Over a charmingly sloppy handclap, bass, and cymbal rhythym provided by AP, Matt gives a light as a feather, but instantly memorable vocal melody. The song glides gracefully along for it's first two minutes, surviving slight sonic tweaks here and there, before ending with a classic sounding indie rock coda reminiscent Teen Beat Records favorites (of mine anyway), Unrest. Ariel's work is often likened to an ancient AM radio broadcast due to the driving through a tunnel sound quality. Here, with most of that willful distance taken away, the comparison still stands, but more for the timelessness of the songwriting than any trouble you might have figuring out what you're listening to. Highly Recommended.

To buy Holy Shit's record, go here.

For those completely ignorant about the solo work of Mr. Pink, or those who just aren't blessed with a New York Noise quality video program, this Kate Bush lovin' clip is a nice place to start.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffitti -"For Kate I Wait"

Tags: Holy Shit, Ariel Pink, Matt Fishbeck, Push Kings

Posted by Jeff Klingman at June 20, 2006 03:53 PM

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Posted by: brett at July 5, 2006 10:22 AM

Posted by: jeff at July 5, 2006 10:32 AM

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