Bound To Be＜限定盤/Clear Vinyl＞

70年代のポップ、80年代のシンセロック、90年代のインディーロック、デヴィッド・ボウイの「ベルリン三部作」や、BLONDIE、NANCY & LEE、そしてTHE BREEDERSまで、幅広い音楽ジャンルを包括するパワーポップを奏でるオレゴン州ポートランド出身の夫妻デュオの2NDアルバム!北西部の強豪ドラマーMIKE MUSBURGER (FASTBACKS, THE POSIES)が参加し、ダークなテーマを追求した意欲作となっています。

The project of Portland, Oregon-based musical and marital duo Heather Larimer and Brian Naubert, Corvair specializes in melodic, harmony-rich indie rock with nods to classic power pop and synth rock. Prior to their own musical union, both artists were stalwarts of the Northwest indie scene with decades of interesting bands (Eux Autres, Tube Pop, the Service Providers) and releases between them. Longtime admirers of each others work, they began writing songs together during the 2020 global pandemic and released Corvairs eponymous debut a year later. Their sophomore outing, Bound to Be, builds on their core sound, but overall its a more varied and tightly crafted record. Larimer and Naubert have a knack for finding the sweet spot between rocks punch and pops sweetness, resulting in songs that have bite and rhythmic heft, but also an underlying warmth. Opener "Shady Town" is a clear standout and perfect example of this. Against an insistent garage pop riff, Larimer cycles through a litany of gritty references ("toxic trash and Raisin Bran, freakers all around"), moving through smart key changes and sugary harmonies aided by surf organs. "We Fall Down" is a darker and more abstract rocker, with an effective push-pull between its almost-monotone verses and rousing choruses. The buoyant "Superstuck" keeps things playful, while the more subdued "Wrong Again" reveals Corvairs flair for balladry. Produced and recorded by Naubert, the pair is aided throughout the set by Posies and Fastbacks drummer Mike Musberger, adding to their already formidable pool of talent. At times, Corvair resembles a less 60s-indebted Essex Green, another band known for their undeniable melodic charm. Its a strong follow-up from a duo who know how to weave their veteran presence into something fresh. ~ Timothy Monger