Dream-pop
“The Sub Pop Years” chronicles Damon & Naomi’s years with Sub Pop Records (1995-2002), the period following the release of their first post-Galaxie 500 record “More Sad Hits” which they imagined would be their only release, but luckily, wasn’t. Anyone familiar with Galaxie 500’s output can expect something in a very similar vein, but even more minimal and laid back. Obviously Naomi’s vocals will bring back the ghost of Galaxie 500, but the guitars also have echoes too (often the riffs bring back memories of “On Fire” and “This Is Our Music”) and there is an open quality that makes your skin tingle in the same way that they used to.
Naomi’s warbled and out of tune vocals seem somehow to complement the Damon & Naomi sound much better (on a Galaxie 500 record the tracks with her vocals were always on the edge of ruining the atmosphere as they were a bit monotone and flat as hell compared to Dean Wareham), perhaps it’s because these tunes are quieter and more dreamy. The duo approach things in a more acoustic and wandering way, each track has a great melody but it always meanders, seeming not to care whether it ever reaches any destination. At the same time the tracks are all very fluid and relaxing, with that familiar guitar sound.
The record is full of lovely experimental indie tunes, so dreamy and laid back that you could easily drift off, but there are so many stand-out moments that you never do; slide guitars, fuzzy distortion and great tunes hold it all together nicely. There are some really moving and touching songs; a cover of ‘Song to the Siren’ is a high point, also worth a mention are the beautiful and ethereal ‘Navigator’ and opener ‘Eulogy To Lenny Bruce’ which is clean and bright and gentle. If you missed these tunes the first time round this is a great way to catch up.