Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power & the Amorphous Strums

Dark Developments (Orange Twin)

By Deirdre Sayre
Published: October 16th, 2008 | 9:00am

Athens, Georgia singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt has released more than a dozen critically acclaimed albums heralded for their sharp lyrics and searing narratives, and often characterized by sparse arrangements. Chesnutt's first two albums were produced by Michael Stipe; he's since worked with a variety of musicians, including Lambchop, Widespread Panic, Bill Frisell, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-la-la Band (which includes members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor), and Fugazi's Guy Picciotto.

For his latest album, Dark Developments, Chesnutt collaborated with former Elephant 6 neo-psych outfit Elf Power, as well as old-school Chesnutt partners the Amorphous Strums. In the cold winter months of early 2007, they kept the lights in Chesnutt's attic studio burning late most nights, tirelessly teaming to create one of 2008's lo-fi pop greats. Stimulated by Elf Power's psych-pop sensibilities, it delivers tunes that veer from slow-core folk pop to straight up rock. The resulting album, as a whole, has more energy than his previous output.

The album opens with Chesnutt wordlessly crooning, his voice a supplementary instrument, joined by a rich, harmonica-led waltzing promenade as the singer stoically bemoans the absence of “Mystery.” Standout rock stunner “And How” marches along to Derek Almstead's driving bassline, xylophones trilling before Chesnutt's rich tenor swells to plead the refrain, "Who? What? Why? Where and When? (I need to know)." “Teddy Bear” dances to a spaced out reggae beat before Chesnutt raspily riffs on an eerie vision where, "The frost is covering the clover / Muted morning oozing ochre / Heated honey glomming over / Animating dark and frozen / A fairy tale."

Bilocating dogs, mean city folks, and bloated congressmen make an appearance before the album closes with a dazzling array of VU-esque guitar interplay on the mysterious, Moog (masquerading as a harpsichord) fueled “Phil the Fiddler,” a song which might leave you wondering: is the current vice president Dick the butcher? And if so — who is the kid with the aubergine eye?

Dark Developments is a haunting work that would be an excellent addition to any collection, with awe-inspiring album artwork by Athens artist Terry Rowlett to boot. If purchased at Orange Twin Records, a portion of the profits support land preservation and sustainable development.

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