Pocahaunted – Emerald Snake on Ruby Velvet [Not Not Fun]

A little while back I was having a conversation with a friend about Pocahaunted. We were both fans, we always enjoy stuff we hear by them but what we were really discussing was the standard Pocahaunted framework (i.e. two chords repeated ad infinitum and vocal coos and moans). This framework has served them well thus far, but at this point it seems to be inhibiting their potential (could you imagine how awesome they would sound if there was some big glorious change in chord progression every so often?). So seriously, days after we had that convo the Phaunts dropped this little baby. It was sold out in an instant like all their stuff, but it’s still worth noting even almost two months after its release.
While Pocahaunted has yet to work in a third chord, their overall aesthetic has been given an update. The most obvious change here is the steady dubbeats supplied by Bobb Bruno (of Goliath Bird Eater and Bobb Bruno). The repetitive drum pattern is hypnotizing, like traditional Pocahaunted but in an entirely different way. It’s actually somewhat reminiscent the drums (sample?) in “Gates of Ballard” by Sunn o))). Anyway, back to the whole hypnotic thing; this isn’t Portishaunted or nothing (ha?) but the dubbiness actually really works well in duo with Pocahaunted’s style because they both go for atmospheric and spellbinding but do it coming from two distinct directions. It’s a mutualist relationship, the beats keep the rest of the track focused and the rest of the track keeps that same drum pattern repeated over and over from getting on yr nerves. So anyway, it’s an unexpected though very welcome addition to the Pocahaunted teepee (tipi?). Elsewhere in the track there is some rad fuzziness, coming from one of the guitars and a bass or keyboard or something, giving the track a much fuller overall sound and richer texture. It also has a bit of a home-taper feel due to a recording bobbles, which is fine in my eyes.
As evidenced by this tiny CD-r, Pocahaunted still have a few tricks up their sleeve which warms my little knife (I hope they expand the scope of their songwriting sometime soon though). And the dang thing comes with fake snake skin sewed on too! As mentioned, it’s sold out, but if you can find it pick it up.

Robedoor + Pocahaunted – Hunted Gathering [Digitalis]

Both the Robedoor and Pocahaunted crews have been making a name for themselves this year, especially when in tandem it seems. They opened for Sonic Youth in collaborative live form pretty recently, and their first shot at a collabo release, Mouth of Prayer, was reissued by Blackest Rainbow only mere months after it came out in the first place. This double disc split/collab slab, courtesy of Digitalis, is the next piece in the ever expanding RBDR+Phaunt puzzle.
The excellently titled, Hunted Gathering starts off with Robedoor in classic dread drone mode. There is sloshed vocal murk a plenty, but what Robedoor has always been killer at is the way they incorporate rather typical instruments into their palette of scuzz and hum. This track, “Plague of Settlers”, has an organ of some sort, bass, a drum kit perhaps a guitar, all mingling and forming into a heavy monolith exploding underneath the Earth’s surface. Pocahaunted follows with “Roman Nose”, beginning in typical Phaunt fashion, two guitar chords cycling back and forth and female vocal séance. In addition, the girls are joined by subtle drumming (I’m assuming by Goliath Bird Eater’s Bobb Bruno) and I’m pretty sure I hear a male voice in there too but don’t quote me. It’s a nice unified procession, almost to a fault, but vocal “solos” towards the end help break the sameness up a bit. Another Pocahaunted track, “Crow Scout” follows but it doesn’t quite do it for me. The central melody and arrangement doesn’t gel well enough to sustain the piece across its almost 14 minutes. There are some of those classic, sublime Pocahaunted vocal moves in it though. My ears like that. Robedoor gets back on the mic and closes out the first disc with “Spectral Outpost”. It’s a long, gradually winding piece, like riding a rollercoaster in slow motion, in the dark. Except instead of being filled by excitedness, like you would be on a rollercoaster in regular motion, you’re filled with utter creepedoutness. This is real digging-up-bodies-on-an-ancient-Indian-burial-ground shit, total looming doom. Give it a few minutes and you’ll be under its spell, marching hypnotized into oblivion just as I am.
Robedoor opens up the second disc as well. But out of left field, it’s a pretty serene piece called “Ancestress Moon”. And it’s the only track length on the album that doesn’t make it to double figures. It doesn’t go anywhere particular but it doesn’t really have to, it’s a nice comedown after “Spectral Outpost” AND it’s a great lead in to the final solo Pocahaunted track “Warmest Knives”. “Warmest Knives” starts out almost identically as “Roman Nose”, but soon enough it morphs into a rather lush echoing piece. The mysterious Laena (whose violinwork was the standout on the Phaunts’ Rough Magic tape) makes a much welcomed appearance here. Her violin isn’t front and center, but it comes in at all the right places. This may be the foggiest Pocahaunted has ever sounded and it suits them well. The track still feels a bit long, but the fine use of dynamics by all parties involved excuses that. “Razed Terrain”, Robedoor’s final bout, is a decent enough though repetitive vocal-dominated affair, that can't quite compare to their excellent cuts on the first disc. Though I do dig the cymbal smashing towards the end. The grand finale, the collaborative title track, is a very disembodied sounding piece. The Pocahaunted element is prominently on display while the Robedoor faction snakes around in poisonous mists. Towards the end of the track the intensity has increased a bit but it doesn’t sound too much different from when it started. It feels more like a Pocahaunted piece with Robedoor sitting in rather than a full on meeting of the minds, though maybe it’s just me.
While I wouldn’t call Hunted Gathering either group’s best work, it’s still a good showing (especially for Robedoor) and unlike the rest of the groups’ other work, it’s still available. All in all, the whole thing is a classy, well put together project by Digitalis. The sound is crisp thanks to Bobb Bruno and Pete Swanson, on recording & mixing and mastering duties, respectively. The sweet collage plastered all over this thing is by Manda and Bethany of Pocahaunted (also Roy Tatum of Buried Valley is credited to layout, as well as additional instruments) and it’s just totally fun to look at, especially the inside. So if you’ve yet to hear either subject of this review, I suggest you pick this up. It’s definitely the best bang for your buck. And if yr a fan of either group, well, you already know what to do.