The sound of D.C.'s Pearie Sol is liable to catch folks off guard. The plaintive vocals, the frenzied rush of the material conspire to stun at times. And that effect is writ large on the new album, Real Happiness. Out tomorrow on HHBTM Records, the release is bracing and life-affirming.
With assistance from Renata Ocampo (drums), and Devin Ocampo (guitar, bass), vocalist and keyboardist Pearie Sol pushes these numbers into a space that's pitched somewhere between Half Japanese and John Vanderslice. There's DIY spirit on chugging rockers like "Take My Body", and the weezy "Apathy", but Sol imbues each with something unique. The emotional vocals recall for me those of David Thomas of Pere Ubu, and the music around the performances is garage rock. The organs, synths, and heavy rhythmic underpinning of these compositions only serves to make them feel more urgent, and plaintive.
Pearie Sol brings the same kind of energy to this as the keyboardist brings to Gauche, with nearly every number on Real Happiness sort of putting a listener off-guard. "Slime Pit", for example, has a nice retro appeal, like early B-52's even, while a more contemplative number like "Marched On" reveals Sol's strength with a melodic-line. The vocals are unique, yes, but for a listener who's a fan of any of the acts I've referenced above, lots of Real Happiness should impress. I was stunned by some of this, as there's an immediancy here that's always compelling, and consistently brave in approach. The additions from the Ocampos keep things bracing as the vocals stake out a place that is wholly, utterly special.
Real Happiness is out tomorrow via HHBTM Records.
More details on Pearie Sol via the official website.
[Photo: HHBTM Records]