Review: Mary Timony - The Shapes We Make (or) small red lights shining in the blackness

Posted on 25 May 2007 | 1 Comment

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Post Rock

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The Shapes We Make is Mary Timony’s fourth solo album since she spent time in indie rockers Helium. It is (overall) a dark and moody record that oftentimes sounds like a back alley drug deal between Sebadoh and Sleater-Kinney. A proggy post-rock wet dream.

Timony’s husky and Kim Gordon-esqe alto pipes are well-suited for the baroque and downright medieval tone that permeates through much of the album. I love the frolicking guitar melodies and the lilting bass, but it is the rock solid polyrhythmic drumming of Devin Ocampo that really anchors Timony’s unusual and off kilter tunes.

I was actually all set to write this, but as I kept listening to The Shapes We Make I kept liking it more and more. I kept picturing the European countryside littered with drum kits and Marshall stacks with dragons flying overhead. That just proves I’m a little crazy, but (seriously) this is really a great and (surprisingly) warm album that really rocks (but only slightly). The Shapes We Make is out now on Kill Rock Stars.

MP3 | Mary Timony – Sharpshooter The Shapes We Make
MP3 | Mary Timony – Each Day The Shapes We Make