If you're not familiar with Weaver At The Loom, you should be. Their 2007 EP "I Was Searching And I Found" was one of my favorite releases of that year, and brought them almost universal praise from anyone who reviewed it. It seemed this band was on the verge of something big with such a strong debut release.
However, as best can be described on the Weaver At The Loom Facebook page, a lot happened to them from the time that EP was released to today. To sum it up, the Minnesota based band grew from three members to five for their final tour in 2009, before they literally became stranded in Louisiana for a month due to a broken down van, draining their finances to eventually get home. Upon returning, the realities that do in many an indie band reared their ugly heads and the band was down to two members, Izaac Burkhart and songwriter and vocalist Dan Smith.
The two tried to make things work as a duo but eventually agreed to part ways with Smith, who started the band, continuing to record under the name as a solo artist. So that brings us to "Reconstructor", the first new music from Weaver At The Loom in four years.
"Reconstructor" is a two song single, more of a preview for the next EP Smith is working on. Both tracks are engineered and produced by Burkhart, so the band's sound that endeared them to so many has not been lost. "11 1/2 (My Favorite Age)" carries on with their atmospheric rock and Smith's incredibly soothing vocals. It's great to hear this voice on new music again. There is a bit of a stuttering electronic beat behind the live drumming, but other than that this song could have easily fit on the debut EP.
Second song, "We're Wild Animals (We Always Were)" is a slower track, carrying on the melodic rock Smith seems to have perfected. There is again a mix of electronic and live drums and prominent guitar work once the song kicks in.
It's only a two song teaser, but "Reconstructor" proves Weaver At The Loom lives on in Smith's hands. He promises to have an EP finished by the summer and these two tracks indicate the long wait for new music was worth it. I'm very happy to see Smith has carried on and look forward to what he is in store later this year. Here is to perseverance.
"Reconstructor" was released as a digital download only in the U.S. on January 14, 2011.
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