Indie folk band Peter Wolf Crier’s new release, Garden of Arms, is a mess of reverbed vocals and melodramatic melodies layered into something familiarly hipster.
Peter Pisano and Brian Moen use their sophomore album to experiment with expansive sounds, but don’t call it experimental. The only surprise on the album is that, despite the occasional moment of confusion, it seems to work.
The punchy beats that back each track hold the album together and guide every song with a sense of urgency. They fill up speakers and give depth on otherwise forgettable tracks such as “Cut a Hand.” On top of those beats, thick layers of vocals, guitar, piano ring behind a heavy dose of reverberation.
On “Beach,” the highlight of the album, Peter Wolf Crier creates an oceanic sound with a beat that turns into pounding waves and a melody that throws your mind underwater.
“Hard Heart” and “Krishnamurti” shine with catchy hooks and fuzzy guitars, though they wouldn’t feel too out of place on a Radiohead record. Powerful piano chords punctuate the vocals in “Haunt You,” happily distracting from the whining tone of the lyrics.
The album drops into moments of decisive discordance. There’s an unfinished feeling to the wandering record, though that might be part of the indie appeal.
At first listen, Garden of Arms sounds familiar and forgettable. As you keep listening, you start to pick apart the layers to find how Peter Wolf Crier has mixed in its own flavor. But past that, it’s just another iteration of the indie folk rock combo.
