City Newspaper Archives - 2/2007
ROCK: Arbouretum (2/17)
Published by Saby Reyes-Kulkarni on Feb 13, 2007
As much as Arbouretum's music recreates the vast, almost mind-bending desolation favored by authors like Cormac McCarthy (All the Pretty Horses) and Paul Bowles (the latter's work, The Sheltering Sky, was a major influence on bandleader Dave Heumann during the making of new album Rites of Uncovering), a kickin' rock band lies slightly out of view at the heart of this Baltimore quartet's sound. Comparisons to Neil Young abound, and Arbouretum even refers to its work as folk rock/roots, but the music ripples with power and hooks galore. That those hooks go by at a seemingly languid tempo, as if you were hearing them during a dream or a sweat ritual, shouldn't deceive you --- Arbouretum shies away from brute force and aspires to high-minded ruminations on spirituality. Meanwhile, Autumn In Halifax's majestic ambience makes for a perfect fit.
Arbouretum, Autumn In Halifax, and Ian Downey Is Famous play Saturday, February 17, at the A\V Space, 8 Public Market, 615-8446, 9 p.m., $7. www.avspace.org.
Article Photos
Arbouretum
