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FAN
Barton’s Den
Polyvinyl, 2018
8/10
Deriving inspiration from the sound of a broken fan in a restaurant bathroom is probably an impetus you're unlikely to hear again, but that's exactly what set the wheels in motion for Meric Long's FAN project. The music portion is handled largely by a pair of synths his late father left behind, though this isn't Long's standard instrument; you may know him better as the guitarist/vocalist for Dodos. However, this unusual album allowed Long to explore childhood fascinations like video game soundtracks, Prince and Devo.
Often with an ominous electronic post-punk backdrop, this is an adventurous outing with sounds on both sides of the spectrum from nearly industrial to synth-pop. Armed with distorted guitars and complicated melodies, it's a meticulous affair where each song feels like a production all its own, from bouts of loud guitars and glowing energy to calm, introspective meandering. Fans of The Dodos will appreciate a couple tunes that basically seem like The Dodos plus synth, but for the most part this an entirely different animal and a captivating one at that.
Travels well with: New Order- Low Life; Radiohead- Ok Computer