New (Old) Department Of Eagles

New (Old) Department Of Eagles

Department Of Eagles assumes we care about their practice sessions and throwaway b-sides, and they are right. On July 20th the Grizzly Bear side project will be releasing Archive 2003-2006, a recording session that was originally intended to produce their sophomore full-length album, but was scrapped for whatever reason. So in truth these aren't really b-sides, they are more A-/B+ sides.

The album plays like an old jewelry box in the attic; there are treasures to be had and each listener can grab a different ring from the box, so to speak. The songs range from short incomplete ideas to fully realized pop tunes, and the tension between the two is at play throughout (a la White Album).

Recordings of practice sessions are significant because its one of the few instances an artist is not performing but thinking, and I'm convinced you can actually hear the difference. The most haunting and beautiful songs on the album are the five "Practice Room Sketches"; old pianos creak, acoustic guitars crawl up and down franksinatra scales, and Rossen's voice occasionally emerges to softly croon-- it's equal parts chilling and comforting. I highly recommend this album, especially for fans of In Ear Park, but it's not one of those b-sides that only die-hards can enjoy; there's plenty here for everyone.

[mp3] Department of Eagles :: While We're Young
[mp3] Department of Eagles :: Practice Room Sketch 5

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