LOADING...
Image via Unsplash.
Why do we like this?
High Places is an organic combination of nature influences and a multitude of instruments, and High Places vs. Mankind duels each of those influences, starting with the album title.
The Brooklyn duo (Mary Pearson and Robert Barber) met while Pearson was studying music at Western Michigan University and they were both performing as solo artists. The two began collaborating with experimental music and their unique musical styles. High Places vs. Mankind is their second full-length album from Thrill Jockey Records.
This album has layers upon layers of beats, and Pearson's melodic, hopeful voice top it off to give it a truly unique feel. The vocals are soothing and unpredictable, clashing with the experimental and trans-like beats that should seemingly be paired with an upbeat and dance-worthy voice. Instead, Pearson's voice echoes through the album, airy and weightless.
High Places vs. Mankind has a 70s feel to it and stays in a dream-like state from start to finish. The duo seems to work hard at making their ideas clash, yet it works out well. The opposing sounds create a barrier between vocals and instrumentals, making it impossible to ignore either.
"She's a Wild Horse" is the most vocally-based song on the album, with very minimalist instrumentals for most of the song. About halfway through, the beats get heavier and Pearson's voice begins to sound like a bird as the sounds of chirping enter the track.
One of the strangest songs on the album is "On a Hill in a Bed on a Road in a House" and it is just as confusing as the title. The track's instrumentals are choppy and have no rhythm, obviously on purpose. In some scenarios this may work, but it is a bit of a stretch here. The vocals are even layered with a constant undertone of lyrics similar to a Dr. Seuss book.
High Places is indeed a unique band. However, the constant clashing becomes a little overbearing. The wispy vocals and hard-hitting beats tend to get old after the third or fourth song. I guess sometimes opposing views just can't get along.
The Brooklyn duo (Mary Pearson and Robert Barber) met while Pearson was studying music at Western Michigan University and they were both performing as solo artists. The two began collaborating with experimental music and their unique musical styles. High Places vs. Mankind is their second full-length album from Thrill Jockey Records.
This album has layers upon layers of beats, and Pearson's melodic, hopeful voice top it off to give it a truly unique feel. The vocals are soothing and unpredictable, clashing with the experimental and trans-like beats that should seemingly be paired with an upbeat and dance-worthy voice. Instead, Pearson's voice echoes through the album, airy and weightless.
High Places vs. Mankind has a 70s feel to it and stays in a dream-like state from start to finish. The duo seems to work hard at making their ideas clash, yet it works out well. The opposing sounds create a barrier between vocals and instrumentals, making it impossible to ignore either.
"She's a Wild Horse" is the most vocally-based song on the album, with very minimalist instrumentals for most of the song. About halfway through, the beats get heavier and Pearson's voice begins to sound like a bird as the sounds of chirping enter the track.
One of the strangest songs on the album is "On a Hill in a Bed on a Road in a House" and it is just as confusing as the title. The track's instrumentals are choppy and have no rhythm, obviously on purpose. In some scenarios this may work, but it is a bit of a stretch here. The vocals are even layered with a constant undertone of lyrics similar to a Dr. Seuss book.
High Places is indeed a unique band. However, the constant clashing becomes a little overbearing. The wispy vocals and hard-hitting beats tend to get old after the third or fourth song. I guess sometimes opposing views just can't get along.
Streaming source:
http://soundcloud.com/goincase/on-a-hill-in-a-bed
TOUR DATES
SIMILAR SONGS
Sounds like:
Youth Lagoon,
The Books
Sounds like:
Woods,
Kurt Vile,
Pill Wonder,
Eat Skull
View more songs ↓