Mat Brooke’s latest labor of love has gone from just plain Archives, with one live show under their belts, to the very Grand Archives, who’ve already crossed the country as support for Modest Mouse, Minus the Bear, and the Helio Sequence and now have a bona fide self-titled full-length release on Sub Pop records. Since their slightly shaky
first show at Neumo’s, the boys have retreated to a cabin in the woods near Index, Wash., to record what’s turned out to be a work equal parts blue-tinged melancholy and bright, sun-streaked optimism. Tracks like “Torn Blue Foam Couch” have morphed into new animals since Archives’ initial four-song demo/EP, “Couch” going from a gradually
building electric anthem to a twinkling, driving anchor of an opening track whose climax bursts with golden brass and racing snare. “George Kaminsky” has been stripped down from a full band, wheezing-harmonica-bedecked wall of sound to a steel-laced acoustic
dreamer. Overcast Northwest elements are viewed through a kaleidoscope of Beach Boysstyle harmonies, Zombies-like arrangements, la-da-da’s, and hand claps, shattering the sound into a million tiny slivers of emotion. Tonight, the band is joined by full string and horn sections along with two of Brooke’s former bandmates (and guest vocalists on
the record) as supporting acts: Sera Cahoone and Jenn Ghetto’s breathtaking S. AJA PECKNOLD
Wed., Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m., 2008
