In their brief existence Jason Davis and Daniel Walker, collectively Archeology, have released no fewer than five EPs. On March 16th the Portland, OR duo will put out their debut full length album Memorial.From a musical perspective the album is stunningly crafted. Minimalist folk roots and vocal harmonies that rival Fleet Foxes permeate the record. The quality of the work grows more and more apparent the more times you listen to it, until songs like the triumphant "White Walls" become irresistible.
Davis and Walker met while on an archeological dig in Washington state. They both shared a love of music and as sons of preachers they hit it off. Unfortunately, that's where the biggest weakness of Memorial comes in. The influence of their religious upbringing is all over the record. The references and imagery can be a beautiful and poetic thing. Too often though, like on "Altar Song" and "Hunter", they seem preoccupied with railing against their upbringings.
If one can get passed the Christian themes and concentrate on the music alone, Memorial is a beautiful record. I'm not capable of doing it for the course of the entire album though. The record would have been much stronger and more effective in the long run if Archeology toned it down and could focus on more subjects than their dislike for their claustrophobic youths.
Best tracks: "White Walls", "San Salvador"
Track listing for Memorial:
- Memorial
- By the By
- Hunter
- Wooden Ships
- Altar Song
- White Walls
- San Salvador
- Violette
- Old Crow
- Laurelwood
6.0/10
Archeology's Myspace
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