MEGAFAUN

Megafaun

2011-10-27

With their new logo and self-titled LP, Megafaun is looking for brand recognition. This is their third album. Megafaun is comprised of brothers Philip & Bradley Cook and Joe Westerlund. They used to play with Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) before parting paths. Megafaun is evolving from the folksy sound of earlier releases with less reliance on banjo and the addition of new bassist Nick Sanborn. Everything is alright with “Get Right” – a recurring drum theme winds through lead guitar reverb with minimal overdub sound effects…it’s the strongest performer on this CD and evidenced further as the band has hinted toward making a video for this song. With simple piano and snare, give the slow paced “Hope You Know” the attention it deserves—a four minute respite. It’s somewhat of a tribute to Vernon. Instrumental “Isadore” begins with strains of “Auld Lang Syne,” but is a treat with its many musical elements: strings, xylophone, horns, woodwinds. “Scorned” is a blues number featuring sweet harp distortion. #15 [untitled] If you wait until four minutes into this secret track, you’ll be treated to studio effects and “Rooster Egg”--a goofy song where reportedly the ‘sequencing is crucial and deliberate’ per Brad Cook. It’s supposed to be a wink and a nod to the future—where the band plans to further explore genres but not take itself too seriously. – Pam VandeKerkhoff

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