Kurt Vile - Square Shells

Limited opaque aqua colored vinyl LP pressing. Philadelphia singer-songwriter Kurt Vile's 7-song 2010 EP originally released between Childish Prodigy and Smoke Ring For My Halo. Square Shells depicts some aspects of Vile's music not immediately accessible on Childish Prodigy, from dreamgazey jams to plaintive, folky melodies. Recorded in a brighter, less homemade sound, Kurt's extraordinarily evocative songwriting explores themes of friendship, loss and desolation. As the title suggests, Square Shells is also something of a collection of curios. Opening track "Ocean City" instantly grasps you with it's charming, sunny melody - completely undercut by it's loner lyrical vibe. If past Kurt Vile records channeled private-pressing downerfolk via early Pavement and Cass McCombs, this song layers Leo Kottke on Van Dyke Parks. Subsequent tracks move past the acoustic sound into beautiful layers of guitar and vocals. A perfect holdover bridge between Childish and Smoke Ring.