Dark Developments

About

This Athens, GA indie supergroup of sorts brings singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt together with Elf Power (which is part of the same Elephant 6 collective that spawned Neutral Milk Hotel, the Apples in Stereo, and the Olivia Tremor Control) and members of Amorphous Strums, Chesnutt’s sometime backing band. Chesnutt wrote the songs, but this is clearly a collaborative effort in every sense. Recorded in Chesnutt’s home studio, all of the musicians contribute mightily to the overall work, and the results are gorgeous. There’s a great mix at work here — Chesnutt’s compelling vocal delivery and clever, humorous, and often odd lyrics (“Bilocating Dog” is but one prime example) supported by a band capable of moving from brooding and dark to rollicking and light with apparent ease. A bit louder and harsher than most Chesnutt efforts, this emphasis on electric rather than acoustic instruments works well due to the sheer combined talent of the musicians assembled, in particular including their ability to emphasize Chesnutt’s sweet melodies even in the midst of noise.

via Apple Music