Let's say you want to buy a two-room apartment in Manhattan. The real estate agent has been telling you for months about this amazing piece of property in East Village that you are absolutely going to love. There is just a small issue that keeps the apartment from going on the market - but, really, the place is yours. It isn't cheap (what is in Manhattan?) but you are fully invested in the project. You are obsessed. There is a decent place in Chelsea but it is East Village that you want. The problem is, there is a new issue every month, and the apartment is elusive, and you are getting desperate. In fact, you are starting to look elsewhere until one day you get an unexpected phone call from the agent telling you that the apartment will never go on the market. There is, however, another offer. It is the one you should jump on. Actually, it is the only offer that you are going to get: two one-room apartments, one in Williamsburg and the other one in Bronx. Two of them go for the price of one in East Village. And you really have to live somewhere. You are exhausted, and you take what you are offered. What else is there to do anyway?
But you know what - I am okay with these two one-room apartments. Fuck it. At this point in time, I might actually prefer it this way. They are both great apartments. And also, this whole East Village thing - was it not some utopian dream anyway?
I guess some context should be provided here. However, I am absolutely not going to do it. I have done it multiple times. The fact of the matter is, the story of The Wrens' fourth LP might finally be over. The resolution is bitter and unsatisfying, but I am willing to take it. I am even willing to understand Kevin Whelan who got sick of waiting for Charles Bissell and decided to release his songs under the name of Aeon Station behind Bissell's back. It was a contemptible thing to do no doubt, and the rift may never be healed, but what was he supposed to do? It's been years. It's been more than a fucking decade. So now, instead of the follow-up to The Meadowlands, we get two albums. One is Whelan's (now). The other one Bissell's (soon*).
The symbolism of the album cover is almost too direct, but the sentiment had to be expressed. Kevin Whelan knows full well that this is not it. We all know that. However, I would argue that what matters the most is the quality of this album. You may be asking the question we all wanted to ask the moment we heard about this record: was it written and recorded by someone responsible for The Meadowlands? The answer to that question is a resounding yes. It was. From the sweet and short opener and down to every emotionally charged crescendo you will find on Observatory - this is, indeed, a beautifully crafted collection of songs that you could well imagine on that impossible LP #4. I am sure that Charles Bissell's involvement could make these songs even better - but let us talk about what we actually have here.
"Leaves", "Fade", "Queens" and "Air" all have classic Wrens buildups, irresistible vocal hooks and intense arrangements. The second part of "Fade" is just phenomenal. The other songs are somewhat less complex but that is not necessarily a bad thing. "Empty Rooms" and the closing "Alpine Drive" are striking, disarming and just plain beautiful. Think "Thirteen Grand" but with a little less mystery about it. The two songs I found slightly underwhelming here are the rather straightforward pop-rocker "Everything At Once" (still good though, and instrumentally quite clever) and the super stripped-down ballad called "Move" which is lovely but brittle.
Will the appearance of this album release the demons and lead to more album by Aeon Station (apparently, 'aeon' is a reference to how long it took to put these songs out)? Will it make Charles Bissell release his own solo album next year or at some point in time? God knows. I'm not holding my breath, obviously. For the time being, I am just happy that we got a chance to hear these ten songs. Because they are amazing. You knew they would be.
*Yeah I know.
RECOMMENDED THIS MONTH:
*Aeon Station - Observatory*
Nils Frahm - Old Friends New Friends
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Barn
