Zelienople / Tekulvi
Split 7” single
Loose Thread Recordings

Aaah Chicago, you’re not just on my mind because of your Academy Award winning ways. Nor are you occupying my wet dreams because of your thick and luscious pizza. Your windy demeanor definitely isn’t giving me palpitations. So what is it? It must be the insane amount of bands that call you home, many of the math and post-rock variety, those of the intertwining polyrhythms and spindly guitar action. Sweep the Leg Johnny, Tortoise, Toe 2000, the list goes on and on. And now you go and throw two more bands my way and leave me wanting for more. I am glad I am only writing their names instead of speaking them though, and now you will see why.

Tekulvi occupies the first side of this split 7” and brings forth their algebra-inspired rock equations soft and mysteriously. "Low Center of Gravity" begins with a repeated bass and guitar line before the tom-centric drums kick in, pushing along for just long enough before the vocals decide to match the guitar melody. Things get a bit heavier for the last third as parts space apart and the song builds to an intensity that never quite satisfies. But oooh, the anticipation… that’s the best part anyway, isn’t it? This four-piece knows it.

Zelienople perform two songs on the flip-side, one running into the next, "It’s Hard to Steal Cars" and "Christmas". They take a softer shoegaze approach. Bass layers and subtle synth sounds fill space and crate melodic drones beneath the hushed vocals and light drum patterns. And then a clarinet pops up and soothes you with its reed. As "Christmas" gets underway, guitars dipped in delay offer trilly interminglings that paint a pretty picture. 

Yes, Chicago, you always come through. I forgive you for The Sea and Cake’s boring live performances. I forgive you for your snotty online music 'zines. Keep feeding us stuff like this and I will even forgive you for people who think saying, "Da Bears" is still funny.

Reviewed by Jonah Flicker

Zelienople
Pajama Avenue
Loose Thread Recordings

This is the first full length from Zelienople. Prior to this they released a track on one side of a 7" single, the other side of which was occupied by Divot Records' artist Tekulvi. I never heard that one, but this record starts off slow and stays atmospheric, never building or creating too much tension, but consistently maintaining layer upon layer of lush, drum and bass backed dream music. Brushes tickle the Zildjan's, vocals resound from echo-laden frequencies, violins hush like a finger to closed lips, and the bass lines hang thick when not repeating. While not quite jazz, Pajama Avenue is slow, quiet drone sounds for Sunday afternoons or winter nights. But Zelienople are not orchestrating break-up music either; the downturn isn't a result of depression, or at least it doesn't seem so, the lyrics hint at none of that, but rather imply moods born of idle moments of introspection. Pick this one up and put it next to your Tara Jane O'Neil and Cat Power, right between the Mogwai and Slowdive.

Reviewed by James Hoey