Battle Of The Beards

Description

Ben Davis (ex Sleepytime Trio, Milemarker) & The Jetts and Des Ark might be wildly different but it is rare to find a collaboration that works this well. The former plays indie rock about surveillance and technological paranoia; the latter plays loose, punky indie-folk about joyless sex and broken hearts. Either way, both bands are in top form on this split full length. On Battle Of The Beards, The slow builds and soft confessionals of Des Ark tracks play perfect counterpoint to Davis pulsing song craft. She belts wherein he whispers, a single piano or acoustic guitar is butted up against a lush orchestra, and by the last note of these tracks you begin to realize the potential of alliance and the unspoken compliments of friendship. Each artist has 5 tracks and then the CD version has an additional two tracks that are a collaboration between Ben Davis and Des Ark and feature the UNC orchestra.