The Days of Lore

If the electro shoe fits …

Friday, February 19th, 2010 | musiX | No Comments

What’s this? Scooped by Pitchfork, Stereogum and Urban Outfitters?! I even know a couple of the members for crying out loud.

La-La Land’s The Delta Mirror has been making the rounds through the blogosphere—places that make artists’ dreams of fame and fortune come true overnight … but are way less bitchin’ than The Days of Lore. I kid, of course (or do I?). Onward.

The trio of Craig Gordon (vox, guitar), David Bolt (vox, gadgets) and Karrie K (vox, bass) uses the descriptor “electro shoe-goth” to capture their sound. It’s pretty dead-on. As with former Portlander Bolt’s solo gig Letdown, The Delta Mirror puts together ambient indie rock with purpose—chirps, whooshes and beeps all find their place over hushed vocals and gentle beats—and, more importantly, melodies. It’s not just an exercise in self-indulgence (i.e. wankery)—these songs are good.

The group’s new release Machines That Listen is out March 16 on Lefse Records (including vinyl!)—nine songs that take place in a different room of a hospital. The concept began with a couple autobiographical songs written by Gordon, who then decided to build the story from there. Each song stands on its own, too. “He Was Worse Than the Needle He Gave You” and album closer “A Song About the End” are the standouts (the latter reminds of Zooropa-era U2). And I promise the piano in “Hold Me Down Just Don’t Let Me Go” will absolutely melt you. Ahh, would you look at that … saltwater in my keyboard … again.

“He Was Worse Than the Needle He Gave You” - The Delta Mirror

“Hold Me Down Just Don’t Let Me Go” - The Delta Mirror

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Tags: Craig Gordon, David Bolt, Karrie K, Lefse Records, Letdown, Machines That Listen, The Delta Mirror