The Helium Tapes

Local scene veteran Sunyatta Marshall (Fred's Variety Group) leads the Helium Tapes, a quartet with a flair for dark-tinted power pop and dense, swirling riffs. The self-titled disc is the band's debut, but several years of gigging has solidified its sound and ethos — most songs begin with tidy melodic hooks that transmogrify into flowering, far-out explorations while never stretching too thin. "Magnolia Bloom," one of the album's highlights, provides the best example of this method. Powered by a relentless ride cymbal and simple bass pattern, the song spirals outward with a yawning guitar crescendo and Stereolab-like levels of repetition. The track also highlights Marshall's singing style — she plays it cool for the verses and shoots for the stars in the chorus. Her voice won't knock you down with either force or clarity, but it fits snugly in the setting of the album's ten tracks.

There's a Nuggets-y strand of psychedelia that runs through some of these songs. Tim Lohmann's guitar seems permanently set on fuzz, and "Morning Glory" finds him playing snake-charmer with sitar-like tones. Later, Lohmann's stuttering, distorted licks on "Carry Me" play nicely against the double-tracked vocals. But while the '60s vibe is unmistakable, it isn't all incense and peppermints. "Walking with You" sounds like an English folk dirge updated with resonant bass guitar plucks and echoing drum beats, and with Marshall's high harmonies and emotive lamentations, the song wouldn't feel out of place on an early Fairport Convention record. The reverie is potent but brief — modern synths drive the peppy, bottom-heavy "Early Days" and the instrumental "Caligula" is a sweet slice of surf-rock memorabilia. It may not be fair to call the Helium Tapes a throwback band, so we won't; suffice to say that while you may have heard some of these riffs before, it's been a long time since a local band has played them this well and with such a degree of inventiveness.
— Christian Schaeffer

Details

9 p.m. Saturday, September 20. Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust Street. Free.

Related Content

• Homespun: Pelvic Girdles
  May 12, 2011
• New Release Highlights For November 16: Local Boy Nelly Returns With 5.0
  November 16, 2010
• Mount Eerie and Nicholas Krgovich at Foam, 10/1/11: Review and Photos
  October 2, 2011
• Fleet Foxes and Alela Diane at the Pageant, 7/19/2011: Review, Photos and Setlist
  July 20, 2011
• Homespun: Helium Tapes, Ghost Wave
  November 12, 2009

More About

• Sunyatta Marshall
• Tim Lohmann
• Emperor Caligula
• Stereolab
• Fairport Convention

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Want your CD to be considered for a review in this space? Send music c/o The Riverfront Times, Attn: Homespun, 6358 Delmar Boulevard, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63130. Email music@riverfronttimes.com for more information.