CD of The Week

Speedy Ortiz is back with a second, complex full length that straddles the essence of 90’s inspired rock with one foot firmly planted in heavy, buzzing guitars and the other in droning and roaming shoegaze pop. The big difference between this and its predecessor is that Foil Deer was delicately crafted over a full month, where the first record was produced in only four days. Listening through headphones, the layers of subtle effects and precise chaos unfold like layers of an onion, especially on the heavy and witchy “Puffer.” Singer/guitarist Sadie Dupuis' vocals are smart and metaphoric, painting imagery with finely chosen words and phrases like “backwater acid bath” and “brain like a sphinx” both of which are from the brooding “My Dead Girl.” Haunting and playful lyrics might be expected from Dupuis, who just completed an MFA in poetry at UMass-Amherst. It was a wise choice to earn a degree in something that will benefit and contribute to her profession.

Written in Connecticut’s back woods at her mother’s home, Dupuis exiled herself from friends and influences to mold the songs. This came at a time where Dupuis needed a personal reboot: a cleansing of the bad from her life. The purging sentiment is conveyed on the oddly Brit-Poppy single “Raising the Skate” as she declaratively sings “I’m not bossy, I’m the boss” with a flutter in her voice akin to Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females. From there she cathartically toys with a nice revenge fantasy in the dark, plodding “Dot X,” by singing “Don’t touch my blade you fool, you’ll be cursed for a lifetime.” She moves along to tackle the helpless emotion of not being viewed as girlfriend material on “The Graduates” where she sings “I was the best at being second best, now I’m just the runner up” with vocal clarity reminiscent of Aimee Mann. Fortunately it is not all doom and gloom, as the album contains the super energetic and gleeful “Swell Content.” This brief 1:47 onslaught is a catchy, pogo-rocking joyride of fun.

Foil Deer is a nice, tight knit package of snap-reaction transitions from thoughtful acoustic to muddled fuzz to feedback buzz to luscious lullaby. Atmospheres and emotions run rampant and are ever evolving, offering something for everyone. The record should earn them a solid name drop alongside popular contemporaries like Courtney Barnett and Waxahatchee as well as greats like Liz Phairand Mary Timony (Helium, Ex Hex). Which brings up a tough decision: Speedy Ortiz is coming to Johnny Brenda’sthis Sunday, April 26th, while just down the road, Ex Hex is playing at Union Transfer. So if you like fun, engaging female fronted bands, you have no reason to stay home this Sunday.