An honest hand
An honest gut reaction
How could I know it would be the death of me
Emily Eichelberger and her husband, John Pyle, are the passionate duo behind Indigo Ranch, hailing from Philadelphia. Their sound recalls the C86-era pop music, lovingly wrapped in a comforting wall of hiss. Emily and John have dipped their toes into various musical pools, including Oaken Tower, Pleasure Island, Paradise Gardens, and Louie Louie. John also moonlights as the mastermind behind the underground cult industrial and noise label Beyond The Ruins.
The couple’s previous musical endeavor, Paradise Gardens, gracefully evolved into Indigo Ranch. Their first release, Love or Perish, fluttered through underground circles. Now, with a drumroll and a bit of fanfare, they announce their newest LP, Hard Gloss, available now via Happy Families.
Hard Gloss is a delightful blend of mid-tempo post-punk and dream pop, seamlessly melding 80s influences with fresh visions. The album is punctuated by industrial synth-scapes that firmly establish the band’s character and mood.
Emily Eichelberger’s voice, with a folk-driven drawl swaddled in tape crackles and echo, reaches out to pull you track by track into the rain. John Pyle, the band’s bassist and part-time programming wizard, also took on the role of engineer. The recording is lush with noise and tape saturation, featuring thudding high-gain rhythm machines, crackling guitars, and looping hypnotic bass lines. The songwriting comfortably nestles itself alongside Bauhaus, Pixies, Ladytron and The Dandy Warhols. It’s an experience that feels like a warm, fuzzy blanket, perfect for those dreary days when only music will do.
The album kicks off with Intro, an instrumental piece that feels like a cosmic wink, reminding us that we might not be the only ones out there in the vast expanse. This smoothly transitions into Spectre, painting a picture of a bleak and disorienting world where the natural and unnatural intermingle. It evokes a sense of enduring hardship, with water filling gaps and a persistent flood line. Themes of destruction and lost intentions run through it, taking us on a trip through hell and back, leaving us a bit unsatisfied but with clarity. Mementos are returned, symbolizing the closure of a troubled past. Hold On To The Dot emphasizes those fleeting moments, fighting for precious time, and making an effort even when it feels late. There’s a struggle between authenticity and faking it, but the effort is always worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Mylar Heat delves into a consuming, cyclical pain, akin to sipping a cocktail of mylar heat with a chaser of car crash aftermath. It’s the kind of chaos you can’t help but be drawn to, like watching a soap opera you know is bad for you. Amidst the perpetual turmoil, the “theater of pain” questions whether words still hold any weight, as the drama plays out endlessly on life’s grand stage.
Atrophia delves into the trials of unfairness and loss, where a cool wind whispers of inevitable change and hardship. Damage control becomes the mind’s go-to escape plan, as it wrestles with the art of letting go and moving forward. Stubbornness and suspended thoughts mirror the challenge of coping without fishing for sympathy, while everything around begins to wither.
Moorish Rose paints a vivid scene of departure and self-discovery. Picture someone leaving keys on the table and a light on, stepping out into the night with a sense of empowerment to seek what’s right. The recurring act of blowing out the candlelight marks the end of one chapter and the exciting start of another.
Silk delves into themes of uncertainty and inner turmoil. The lyrics paint a picture of the mind’s descent into chaos, like a tea party gone terribly wrong, feeling both overwhelmed and resigned. Memories and their value are questioned, as everything seems to lose its worth once it’s gone. The image of sitting silently, giving out, captures a blend of defeat and vulnerability, akin to a soggy biscuit left too long in tea.
On the flip side, Mezzotint wrestles with ungratefulness and rejection, narrating a tale that tugs at the heartstrings. Amidst the pain, there’s a celebration of one’s art and emotions, like finding a rainbow in a rainstorm. The repetition underscores the ungrateful nature of the other, but also highlights a spirited confrontation and a resilience that’s nothing short of inspiring.
A struggle with inner demons and weakness is depicted in Almost Transparent Blue, urging a search for truth amid darkness. The recurring troubles and silence highlight a fight against the past. The devil symbolizes the core of these battles, stressing the need to confront and overcome personal challenges for eternity. Another instrumental, Outro, closes the album.
Listen to Hard Gloss below, and order here
The album was recorded by John Pyle in the cozy confines of their studio. Jeff Zeigler, known for his work with Nothing, Mary Lattimore, Kurt Vile, War on Drugs, and Allison Crutchfield, handled the mixing, making everything sound just right. Mikey Young of Total Control fame put the final polish on it with his mastering magic.
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