Going out on top

Frog Eyes is calling it quits, but before they go they are giving us one more album. Violet Psalms is the band’s latest and final creation, ending a 16-year run that spawned eight full-length albums. The band also announced a farewell tour, but have not disclosed why they will be breaking up. Lead singer Carey Mercer said in a statement about the final release, “We were trying to pretend it was our first record when there’s no expectation that anyone will actually listen,” and the looseness is palpable on the record.

The lead single to their new album is “Idea Man.” It is sunny and upbeat, an unusual departure from the rest of the band’s discography. Its melodies are happy and uplifting until the song breaks down into a somber brass section that more accurately represents the band’s output. The juxtaposition of the two styles works to show the band still has the creative power that made them so captivating on their first releases, and why they will be missed.

On “Your Boss’ Shirt,” they return to their more moody sensibilities, with slow guitar and wailing vocals driving a song that ends up being one of the highlights of the album. Its emotional delivery on top of the way the vocals and guitar weave together create a song that is the emotional high of the whole album. The album’s closer “Pay For Fire” has a similar mood, and the final album of Frog Eyes’ career ends with a beautiful song in which their songwriting powers are on full display.

This album is a wonderful way to end the career of a great band. They are going out on top, and while it is sad to see them go, it is touching to be sent off with such a powerful album.