Intermingled within the same musical tree that spawned Ticonderoga, Bowerbirds and Bon Iver, Megafaun are a fascinating indie/experimental/folk band from Raleigh, NC. The band’s intriguing debut, Bury The Square, resides in the same vicinity as the recently reviewed Border Radio by Blake/e/e/e. Both bands are mining the same folk territories on their respective debuts. Yet, Megafaun and Blake/e/e/e are able to break free from any constrictions as their wild, roaming spirits guide them. Megafaun eschew psychedelic aspects though; instead opting for an experimental takes on conventional folk. After the beautiful album opener, “Find Your Mark,” “Tired And Troubled” shows off that experimental side of the band. The song sounds like a hodgepodge of tape loops mixed with a rainy day acoustic folk song. But, just as the band can turn a normal song into a tape embattled hiss-fest, they can write beautifully poignant songs laced with subtle banjo and longing vocals as well. Hell, the eleven-minute “Where We Belong” encompasses all those aspects with a little feedback thrown in for good measure. “Drains” is perhaps the most stripped down song on Bury The Square and it is also the most moving. Megafaun strike a vital nerve with strained vocal harmonies that seep over less-than-perfect guitar-plucking. Clearly showing off their imperfections allows the listener to come to a striking realization. Megafaun are wonderfully flawed in every way.
Genre: Indie/Experimental/Folk
RIYL: Holopaw, Sparklehorse, Califone
Label: Table of the Elements/Radium
Find Your Mark
I like it. It sounds like it was recorded live, natural reverb and all.