Philadelphia-based label Edible Onion has a knack for releasing their records in small quantities, with unique, handmade packaging. The label has also started a new series of split 12" records. The first of this series is a split compiling two EPs by each of the artists: Br'er's The Soft Mountain and The Chord and the Fawn's This Has To Be Meant To Be.
The Soft Mountain encompasses the Appalachian Mountains, and their effect on frontman Benjamin Schurr. These five songs consist of dramatic song arrangements and colorful instrumentation, fronted by Schurr's emotive howls. "Whitewash" starts Br'er's side on a depressing, "The Glow Pt.2" note; every instrument weeps sustained notes while Schurr cries "Dreams of guilt would coat my throat with reckless abandon/I felt myself in your degradation." The EP emerges from that bubble of sorrow, though continues to utilize its theatrical motifs: "Have Mercy On My Soul" applies dialogue that underlie the lyrics themselves, voices conversing via the left and right channels. On The Soft Mountain, Br'er showcases the soundtrack to an unseen play, with beautiful compositions, an abundance of backing instruments, and a great story detailed in the lyrics.
Flipping the LP over to the B-side, we have The Chord and the Fawn's EP entitled This Has To Be Meant To Be. It accommodates Br'er's side nicely in some ways, however to a much lesser extent in others. The duo of cousins Dani and Angie display a simple, cutesy folk sensibility that only works in few cases: the love-focused storytelling within the lyrics partially coincides with the subject matter of The Soft Mountain, and Dani has a similar vocal execution to Schurr's, though less affected. However, the minimal instrumentation given here leads to eerily similar ukulele chord progressions, a lack of distinction, and excessive familiarity. With the exception of two songs (of which being "Assuming Makes An Ass Out of You & Me" and the closer "Ahlou"), this EP seems to just be a huge blur, falling under the hip-indie-car-commercial-soundtrack-music category.
Though compiling these two EPs was approached like a blind date, it does serve as a nice introduction to both of the artists. This aspect, coupled with beautiful felt packaging makes for an overall engaging listening experience that any frequenter of indie folk could appreciate.
[Br'er Myspace]
[The Chord and the Fawn Myspace]
[Buy The Soft Mountain/This Has To Be Meant To Be from Edible Onion]
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