Originally known as Colonial Vipers Attack, this Minneapolis dreampop band returns with a new name and a tighter, grander sound on their second album All the Places We Would Rather Be. The Two Harbors trail begins around 2006 when the band released a self-titled album (under the original band name) with a lineup that included bassist John Schrei and keyboardist Dax Eckel. The first album made a good splash with local radio and press, listeners appreciating the music's dreamy, textural tone and the band's slyly catchy song writing. As the band started working on its sophomore effort, Eckel and Schrei relocated to the East and West coasts respectively due to "real world" considerations. The remaining trio of Pavlich, Johnson and Grider tapped their longtime friend Jeremy Bergo to play bass (as he puts it, "they were only only band in Minneapolis capable of pulling me out of rock retirement!"). The resulting lineup is solid as Arrowhead granite, as the new record aptly demonstrates.
Although proud of their first album, this time out the band was determined to make a record that captured its live spirit and depth. A few foundation decisions were made: The tracks would be recorded live in one room as complete performances – no click tracks, quantizing, or other technological skullduggery. The band would write
and arrange the songs as a group, working together to focus the dynamics and enhance the hooks. And, to help oversee the recording process and provide "big picture" assistance with the songs, they would work with a producer from start to finish. To this end, Pavlich contacted producer Ed Ackerson (Pavlich: "I had wanted to work with Ed for 15 years, and we finally got the opportunity to with this record"). The band convened at Ackerson's Flowers Studio in Uptown, a studio purpose-designed to record bands playing together, and set about creating their most vibrant recording to date.
Two Harbors has a spacious, widescreen sound, heavy at points, gentle at others. The group of songs that make up the new album are by far the catchiest the band has come up with. The song writing is evolved in new directions and nuanced in new dimensions. Pavlich as a vocalist and lyricist is earnest yet gritty, and a sense of melancholy and loss pervades even the more uptempo tunes. The rhythm section of Grider and Bergo can float or sting with equal accuracy, and Johnson's searing guitar atmospherics add color, sparkle and menace to the mix throughout. The interplay between the band on the live tracks shines through, complementing the moods and emotions of the singing, pushing the songs ever further into the pop stratosphere.
"You Pulled the Rug Out", the lead song, really shows the entire range the album has in store. The tale of broken promises is matched by a racing, intense track, the music moving in tandem with the lyric's tone of sadness and anger for a lost friend. "What I Keep Inside" is another example of the band's developing songcraft, with a huge
chorus and a churning, chiming groove. On the topic of groove, Grider and Bergo drive Two Harbors with authority throughout, playful and nimble on "If I Had Eyes" and "Went So Far", massive and menacing on "Silent Treatment". This last song is one of the most remarkable all around. Johnson's orbiting guitar figures interweave with the Pavlich's echoing voice, the entire band locking down hard as they can on the massive chorus sections. The song simultaneously evokes twinkling stars and grinding glaciers. Not a mean trick in a little over four minutes. It's this unique combination of dynamics and tunefulness that drew newest member Bergo into the band. "The music spoke to me in a way that I hadn't been spoken to in a while. It was great to be able to add my own voice to the songs, although Schrei definitely paved the way. I think the songs themselves fit my playing style well and give me more 'room to move' than my previous bands had". This freedom has led to a real feeling of unity between the guys in Two Harbors. Their interpersonal vibe is as tight, bright and give-and-take as their playing. All of the band members have played in groups for years (Pavlich in Divorcee and Spring Collection, Grider in Faux Jean and Work of Saws, Johnson in the Melismatics and Attention, Bergo in Attention and the Stereo). Still, the chemistry here is unique. Bergo again: "I'm excited at the prospect of being in a band that represents what I had gotten into playing for in the first place - four guys in a band for the love of creating and playing great music, not so much about the pursuit of money, fame, touring or 'making it'." Amen to that! The honest, organic vibe of this combination of musicians has led to an album with great depth and no trace of gimmick or artifice. These are real songs about real feelings, made by real musicians communicating together in real time.
Two Harbors All the Places We Would Rather Be is released by Susstones. To hear music or find out more, please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/twoharborsmusic
http://www.susstones.com
http://www.3sidedsingles.com
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