New Music: Frog Eyes: "Bushels" [MP3]
At nine very full minutes, "Bushels", the first single from Frog Eyes' forthcoming album Tears of the Valedictorian, is an amazing monster. But despite all the detours this track takes, what stands out is lead singer Carey Mercer's emotive, anguished vocals. Here, his tormented wails stand opposite of the rest of Frog Eyes, not so much one element of a greater whole as the weight on the other side of the scale.
Because the song works in a few sections, each repeating then
ebbing, every minute is felt. But the songwriting that lurks beneath
the noise is some serious last-dance-worthy high school prom
mega-balladry-- and it's all anchored by Mercer's refrain ("Though he
had lots to do/ He pulled the flies off of their wing"), set to
trilling guitars and pianos. By the end, even Mercer sounds exhausted,
the word "heart" heaved in a final massive gasp.
MP3: > Frog Eyes: "Bushels"
[from Tears of the Valedictorian; due 05/01/07 on Absolutely Kosher] | [PRE-ORDER]