Following six albums by his guitar-and-drums duo
the Dodos, Barton's Den is the debut of
FAN, the solo project of Meric Long. It will come as a surprise to many that
FAN adds synthesizer textures to the off-balance indie guitar rock Long is known for, even emphasizing them. It was an unplanned project that came about while
the Dodos were on hiatus following the death of Long's father, and then the birth of his first child. He inherited two synthesizers from his father and found himself reflecting on childhood influences like
Brian Eno,
Devo, and Nintendo soundtracks, while also reflecting on his relationship with his dad. By his account, the shift from guitar didn't come without adjustments, but he began piecing together solo recordings from various locations as circumstances allowed (a blizzard in Portland, Oregon; a trip alone to Galicia, Spain; late nights in his soundproofed garage in Oakland, nicknamed Barton's Den after Long's middle name). The album's only guest is Ji Tanzer, whose live drums were recorded separately. The synth timbres are new for Long, but what remains are a distinctive combination of hooky and serpentine lines, a simmering energy, and a typically pensive tone. The driving "Fire" contains all of these, if the energy is at a full boil during outbursts of distorted guitar and manipulated snare and cymbal textures that cut and rattle. Pulsing synth tones and unsettling effects ratchet up the disquietude, even in sparer passages of the song. Later, the new wavy "What a Mistake" borders on synth pop, and "Gorgoroth" features some of those video game influences, though on both, distorted and off-balance elements remain. Accompanying the album's jagged edges and rhythmic intensity are lyrics like "Nothing is continuous/Where's my exit plan?" and "I'm feeling stuck and I can't free myself." For an unintended album, it's an ambitious one, where synth, guitar, and even drum tones work together to create a set that's consistently both uneasy and infectious. ~ Marcy Donelson