A year and a half after the release of Helvetia’s critically acclaimed debut record The Clever North Wind (The Static Cult Label/UP Records), the Pacific Northwest outfit are back with their sophomore release The Acrobats, due out March 24, 2008 on The Static Cult Label.
The Acrobats, is a highly unique, soulful and psychedelic informed pop excursion. The new record was recorded by Jim Roth (Built To Spill, Delusions, Apostrophes) at his home studio in Seattle after Helvetia’s extensive US tour with indie rock heroes Built To Spill in 2006 in support of The Clever North Wind.
Jason Albertini, a talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, founded Helvetia. In addition to his time with Helvetia, he’s known for his longtime involvement with UP records artists Duster and Mike Johnson. He’s also worked with such bands as xiu xiu and Built To Spill.
Alongside Dove Amber (Duster, Arthur & Yu, Love As Laughter) on drums and Adam Howery (Vells, Fruit Bats, Arthur & Yu) on bass, Helvetia created a sound that was hard to pin down. A beautifully lo fi, unclassifiable rock sound, complete with stoner rock chords, jazzy time signatures, sound effects, and honeyed vocals.
For The Acrobats, Albertini also enlisted the help of multi instrumentalist Roth and Tara Der Yeghiayan on backing vocals and harmonies. The album features the occasional guitar duel with guest players like Brett Netson (Caustic Resin, Built To Spill) and Mike Johnson (Dinosaur Jr., Mark Lanegan).
The Acrobats focuses on the potential and possibilities of the quintessential rock combo (guitar, bass, drums) and is enriched by swirling organ touches. Albertini’s vocals are more pronounced on this collection of songs compared to TCNW but still capture an intimacy that engages the listener, with soothing and unconventional melodies that grow on you and seem oddly familiar. The signature guitar styling that Helvetia are known for and is confidently displayed on The Acrobats, squelching and sighing through out.
“We definitely were trying to make a more cohesive record this time around”, says Albertini. Of the Acrobats recording process.” The first record ended up mainly w/ the original 4- track versions that I had done by myself and it kind of rambles on. This time around we were lucky, hooking up with Jim, someone that we all feel really comfortable around. He has a lot of amazing equipment. We practiced the new songs while we were on tour and recorded with Jim when we got back from the jaunt with Built to Spill.”
He continues, “Everything came together really natural and we just knocked it out. A few of the tracks are still me playing everything but a good deal of it was done with Adam and Dove with Jim and his wife Tara also contributing. I also wanted to have less overdubbing, to and to have it sound like 3 or 4 people making the music and let the songs breathe. There is definitely a more live feel to this one".
Although it was recorded relatively quick, it still took him a year to put the finishing touches on the new album, due to having gone on an extensive run of touring in Europe and the U.S working with Built To Spill as support crew, for most of 2007.
The lads are working with their old pals The Static Cult again on this release, but are currently looking for a new label to call home. They will be hitting the road in support of The Acrobats in March 2008 with yet another US tour with Built To Spill
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