In March 2006, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's released The Dust of Retreat, arguably one of the most haunting and inexhaustible albums of all time. It came quietly--a self-released trophy of D.I.Y.-- and unexpectedly.
It starts off cold and and static-y, sinking you into the perfect, emotionless, winter state of mind. Lead singer Richard Edwards wastes no time getting to the heart of his lyrical style: he's a storyteller with a broken heart, disarrayed by his lack of control over the world and simultaneous profound effect on the events that happen around him. The first eleven minutes are euphoric compared to the rest of the album. Soon, we encounter the mid-album climax that is Track #4, "Quiet As A Mouse", which was made into a music video. The heartbreak continues with the simple, tragic "Jen Is Bringing the Drugs" which is followed by an upbeat song with profoundly depressing lyrics. The emotional roller coaster continues and finally ends with an epic duet between Edwards and the female vocalist, Emily Watkins. As a courtesy, the album ends with the cute and Winter-y "Bookworm".
As well as this, they've released The Daytrotter Sessions EP, a small collection of songs performed live in the studio of online music biggies Daytrotter.com.
Edwards' brilliant lyrics are supplemented by the complexity of the music itself. Margot consists of eight members: Richard Edwards, Emily Watkins, Andy & Chris Fry, Hubert Glover, Casey Tennis, Tyler Watkins (unrelated to Emily), Erik Kang and countless outside contributers. Together, they achieve sounds that have never been heard before and result in somewhat of a fusion of inexplicable sound that penetrates all activity within audible range. Think: a mixture of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Matt Pond PA and the score from Bambi. Now, add everything good about Arcade Fire, Connor Oberst/Bright Eyes, a touch of Coldplay and a sprinkle of Ryan Adams for good measure. The collision of major musical forces that happens with Margot is a fantastic swirl of barely-there keyboards and drugs with Edwards' soft, permeating voice as a guide. It's a musical satisfaction that never stops working and quenches every desire a music lover could ever have.
Well, they've gone and released two new albums on us.
Animal! (48:23)
I have been waiting for Animal! for so long that I've spoiled it's surprise with live recordings and bootlegs. After hearing the new recorded album via the double LP vinyl, I'm certain that this is right on par with Dust of Retreat, only perfect for it's fall release.
It begins with a long, strange sound like a distorted version of the beginning of Dust of Retreat. The album is a bit of a stray from the storytelling of their first album, but definitely has inter-song themes: heavily featured is references to cults (in "Hello Vagina" Edwards wails "I am the way to heaven's gate/so pour me a drink, fore we fly away") and a mysterious woman named "Mariel" who even has a song named after her. The highlight on the album is the trippy "A Children's Crusade on Acid", with a chorus of perfect piano finger work and electric drums.
Overall, the album is very typical Margot: heavy on the bass drum, distorted guitar, trademark Margot violin, country-style crooning guitar and television static sounds. Margot and crew make their token reference to Chicago with "Love Song for a Schuba's Bartender", written in the basement of the legendary Schuba's bar on the north side. They also stick to form and end the album with the sunny, happy sing-along, "As Tall As Cliffs", which could very easily function as the album's promotional single.
It's a formidable challenger to it's predecessor. I've been comfortably listening to Dust once a week or more for the past year, and I have a feeling that in time it will prove to have more of a life than Animal!. If Dust is a 10.0 on a 10.0 scale, Animal! is a 9. I highly recommend the vinyl version, which comes with a digital download code. Support the vinyl arts, people.
Not Animal (48:33)
The second album, Not Animal, is a collection of work from the past and present to celebrate the band's signing with Sony BMG corp's Epic Records. The album is a commission by Epic and Sony, and features no relatively new material other than a few unreleased songs and some selections from their other new album. However, if you like what you hear in Dust of Retreat and Animal!, it's worth it to get this one for some of the rare tracks such as the band's signature song "Broadripple is Burning" about their hometown of Indianapolis and another classic Margot diddy, "The Ocean".
Margot is one of the best bands to hit the music scene for a while. I encourage you to buy their album(s), or at least iTunes preview them if you're not sure. Hit up the comments section with your thoughts.
www.margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com
www.myspace.com/margotandthenuclearsoandsos
(In a twist of fate, their website is run more by them and is much more informative and interactive than their MySpace, which is taken over by computer slowing, Sony-issued flash banners.)
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