R. Ring – “War Poems, We Rested”

Eric Foreman (@ericforemanDPT)

Over 10 years in their partnership, Kelly Deal and Mike Montgomery Always feel in sync. The two, who met while Deal completed her Guided By Voices tribute, have an extensive history as friends, colleagues and musical partners. Drawing from Individual Artistry – Deal from Breeders and Montgomery from Ampline – R.Ring It represents a satisfying detour that allows for experimentation and positive jamming at will.The duo’s second studio album War poems, we rested They continue to evolve their sound, bringing together Guthrie, punk and melodic.

track on war poems It took many years to complete. Originally slated for 2020, the record fell the obvious victim of an artistic halt as a result of the pandemic. , still standing firmly. The duo’s weathered experience in songwriting makes the backbone of each song comfortable, bringing listeners closer to the macabre and the gentle. Opener “Still Life” crashes with haunting coo overthrob drums. Over slurred guitars and marching snares, Deal lazily whispers, “All I need is a cigarette/And someone to pay the rent.” This gothic sludge transitions into ethereal lethargy when the full band returns later in the track. This is featured in “Exit Music” which leaves no other words. A steady key provides a foundation for the distant sounds and swirls that float around Deal’s influenced vocals. This sonic combination feels like a haunting ode sung at the edge of consciousness, but “Stole Eye” begins as a simpler serenade. During the pandemic, Montgomery and his family welcomed a new child, and his soft song on the first palm-muted guitar sounded appropriate as a lullaby for the night. A lead vocal was added to add softness to the melodic center of the record. On “Likeable,” he and Deal sing sweetly over the lazy sway of guitars and drums. Deal’s airy harmonies and Montgomery’s more relaxed tones fit comfortably without being too one-sided.

R. Ring is unsurprisingly the creative foundation of this record, but several other musicians/artists have contributed to the overall influence, providing each song with its own addition. should be the drummer Laura King (Bat Fangs) adds flavorful fills and driving rhythms to each track. She opens “Hug,” tethered firmly to the beat under fuzzed guitars and soft vocals. On her first single and highlight, “Def Sup”, King wrote and recorded the bass and drums intro and continuously advanced the track.Guitar and vocals trade off melodic prominence until a dissonant guitar solo crashes midway through, eventually returning to bass and drums as the song closes. Matt Hartsubmitted each song from the record to various poets, artists or writers (including) Hanif Abdullaqiband Lee Ranaldo (from Sonic Youth, etc.) to create verses and prose for each track. This invites loving interpretations from bandmates and friends, deepening the artistic core associated with the band.

Most of the lyrical quality is directed toward the simple and direct, but the final track, “War Poems,” opts for the wordless. The track swells quietly, gesticulating toward a crescendo but never quite realizing it. provides a finale of sound.throughout war poems, Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery put together a compelling record that emphasizes collaboration with oneself and others. This highlights two veteran creatives giving their best performances for a quick and fun listen.