John Andrew Frederick and The Black Watch, fresh from the triumphs of the group's newest record, Fromthing Somethat, reviewed by me here, are back with a new EP. The Nothing That Is, out on Friday, serves up a highlight from the recent record, a remix, and a few new cuts. All are essential, of course, though the remix might fray some nerves.
"The Nothing That Is" shimmers here in its original form, and in an epic 10-minute remix that steers Frederick and his crew precipitously close to Kevin Shields and My Bloody Valentine territory. The spry "For Every Hair That's Hurt I'll Stop A Heart" succeeds on the back of a sharp guitar-line, while closer "Half My Dreams" mixes a bed of fuzzy feedback against vocals that suggest Richard Butler The Psychedelic Furs. Backing vocals from Annie Heyden of Merge Records artists Spent, among others, gives this one a nice flavor, while closer "The Very Thing" reminded me of early Bangles mixed with Trash Can Sinatras. Frederick's bag of influences is a big one, of course, bu his intellect, wit, and warmth as a singer make up the secrets of The Black Watch's successful brand of indie-rock.
The Nothing That Is is out now via the link below and on physical formats soon via Atom Records.
[Photo: Brendan Holmes]