R. Ring

War Poems, We Rested

Don Giovanni Records

The second album from the duo of Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery, while different from their 2017debut Ignite The Rest, compliments that album perfectly. Each album is distinct and great.

Their first comprised songs they’d had from their start in 2012, up to 2016. This album is all new songs, and with a drummer throughout, Laura King, who is very good. They also stretch their sound:“Def Sup” is very playful and danceable, “Hug” is more or less self explanatory, as in giving people hugs, "Still Life" is anti-substance abuse, Mike’s song “Likable” is very much so. The way the songs flow into each other is worth the price of admission alone.

Kelley’s songs mostly are rough and somewhat raw, the way they were on Ignite.  Mike’s are more ethereal. All are good, and, again, compliment  Ignite, but stand on their own wonderfully.

This album was recorded in 2019. Everything they did worked, and the album is worth the wait. If you’re looking for some different, terrific experimental music, this is an album to get. I think you will think it worth the wait too.

Andrea Weiss