Chicago, we just do not get a moment’s rest! And that’s a lovely thing in October, because we are treated to so many good shows before the weather gets really nasty and we hole up in our apartments and refuse to go out at night. So get out while the gettin’s good and honestly I can’t recommend this show enough. Featuring the School of Seven Bells, Warpaint and Panda Riot, the Depreciation Guild returns to Chicago to wow us with this incredible lineup at The Empty Bottle tomorrow night.

The Depreciation Guild is no stranger to the pages of Love Shack, Baby. I first featured their gorgeous video for “Dream About Me” back in July and was completely taken with it. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them play at a Pitchfork Fest after party at the Hideout Lounge and let me say, it was an intimate, electrifying performance. They give off the feeling of being just of the verge of completely breaking out of our little indie world, of becoming the. next. thing. I chatted very briefly with Kurt after the show and with their manager who told me some about their new record. Well, darlings, it’s almost finished and being recorded right here in Chicago, so we’ve been seeing quite a lot of this trio.

They came back recently and played with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Cymbals Eat Guitars and I heard the last bit of their set at Logan Square Auditorium. As always, they sounded fantastic. Their shimmering pop/shoegaze sound is more complex than it first appears and watching them onstage I’m always struck by how tight this band is. There is no sloppiness to this sound even though I suspect that it might go unnoticed. The three of them perform in sync with one another, seemingly effortlessly. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.

If you click this here linky link you will go to an Urban Outfitter’s ad page where you can stream various songs (where they try to get you to buy them via itunes, travel at your own risk, m’dears) chosen for their LSTN compilation CD,  including “Sky Ghosts” by The Depreciation Guild. So there, full disclosure, you’ll see ads for the store and for itunes, but it does let you stream the song.This album is all about fuzzed out guitars, and a smooth vocal track that never really dips high or low but somehow seems to really communicate emotion nonetheless. I’d lie if I didn’t tell you that the electronic effects are also very high on my list of favorite things about The Depreciation Guild.

In Her Gentle Jaws begins with the title track which heavily features a range of 8 bit sound effects mimicking everything from a guitar riff to the more traditionally sounding organ/synth sounds we expect from this creature, which if you weren’t expecting it, leaves you a bit rattled – in a good way. After it’s symphonic crescendo they leave you just hanging there in space, it’s a tool they reach for a time or two in their act, one that works. “Darklooming” combines the best of pop lyrics and rapid fire drumming with those sawing, buzzing guitars that make my head swim. It’s a song I play over and over and just can not wait to hear them play live. “A Room, A Canvas” is a slow piece that really showcases the dreamy capacity this music has and the beauty of Kurt’s voice. The Depreciation Guild gives us a nice long album of 10 tracks, each over four minutes long and each a variation of that wonderful combination of sounds. But “Parasol Parachute” is perhaps the most indicative of all tracks on this record of the genius mix of electronica, guitars and vocals that provide total aural delight. This trio is not to be underestimated. I eagerly look forward to their sophomore album, perhaps we’ll here some of it tomorrow night. Go see them live and say you saw them when, m’dears! xoxo

buy In Her Gentle Jaws on clear vinyl, CD or mp3 download at Insound

10/15 – TORONTO, ON – Lee’s Palace
10/16 – NORTHAMPTON, MA – Iron Horse
10/17 – BOSTON, MA – Paradise

CMJ Tour Dates

10/ 21 – Kanine Showcase – Cake Shop – New York
10/23 – SESEAC Showcase – Cake Shop – New York
10/24 – Self-Titled Magazine Showcase – Glasslands – Brooklyn