The Purrs Keep Their Chemistry Together

Disclaimer: This a review of show that occurred more than a week ago, but due to illness and holiday bustle, it’s a bit late in coming. Since it was such a pleasant experience, I say, “Better late than never!” Believe me, if it sucked, I wouldn’t give a hoot OR pollute. Honest.

I remember when the Purrs were a “buzz” band. KEXP’s afternoon DJs couldn’t play enough of their self-released long-playing debut The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of, particularly tracks like the jangly “Loose Talk”, the perfectly-pop yearning of “She’s Gone”, and, of course, the dark psychedelia of “Taste of Monday”. They managed to convince Sarathan Records to release a self-titled combination of Dreams and 2004 EP No Particular Bar, No Particular Town, received with modest praise. Now they’ve come full circle to the DIY method with their latest, The Chemistry That Keeps Us Together. And while this sophomore effort may not have all the catchy, radio-friendly hits of the debut, it certainly makes up for it in terms of sonic fullness and song evolution. The quality of the songwriting is not limited to a select number of tracks, but rather runs through the entire disc. And the composition and lyricism sound more accomplished this time around, if not more jaded. As well, the group delves into more of the shoegazing guitar strategies of the 80s (My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus & Mary Chain), moreso than the melancholy California pop of the 60s.

The band was kind enough to send me a copy of Chemistry and put me on the guest list for their set at the High Dive last Friday night (12/14). Sandwiching them on the bill was Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity and urban cowboy posse Brent Amaker and the Rodeo. Gary Reynolds, sounding a bit like David Bowie (!), and his “polygamist” outfit worked through a set of alt-countryish rock tunes that set the mood for the night. Much like the Purrs, they had some gloomy tones percolating through catchy, piano-heavy pop songs. I enjoyed their set, and was a bit surprised to find their recordings noticeably more polished and less country than the live show indicated. Catch them at the Tractor Friday January 4th for a more accurate account. For a blatant devotion to Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, check out Brent Amaker and the Rodeo. They headlined the show and entertained the crowd rather well. The highlight was the Whiskey Baptism carried out halfway through the set. A tower of whiskey shots was brought to the stage and Amaker continually filled the gullets of anyone willing. It was hilarious.

Up next were the sensational, reverb-drenched musings of Seattle quartet the Purrs. The singularly-named Jima, who performs vocals along with a bass he might’ve mistook for his own guitar, set his own tone by quickly demonstrating his penchant for inspired, inebriated performances. Before breaking into the music, he lamented the bar’s PBR-only comps for the musicians while holding aloft a glass of what looked like a cabernet: vintage 2002. Other than his bass, it would be his main accessory throughout the show (he would later fall in line for his own Whiskey Baptism courtesy of the headliners). Seeing as how I’d only caught one of their shows back in 2005, I was thrilled that they opened with “Taste of Monday” (though somewhat disappointed that it was the only track off the first record they played). They proceeded to play songs off their new album: “Drive”, “She’s Got Chemicals”, “Waiting for the Asteroid”, “Go Cindy Go”, “Junk & Jil”, among several others.

What stood out most between the recordings of Chemistry and the band playing them live was how much fuller and enmeshed all the instruments sounded on stage. I like the quality and tracking of the disc, but I really thought the onstage playing set their music apart and provided that sought-after proverbial wall of sound. Guitarists Jason Atkin and Jason Milne seemed to have endless pedals at their disposal and ably utilized them along with their Fenders. Drummer Craig Keller treated his kit with love and competently balanced the string players. With the Purrs, I think it’s easy to pick apart their sound and influences and call them just another pop guitar band replicating definable artists of yore, but their attention to detail, deft musicianship, and self-effacing spirit should create enough buzz to fill a beehive.

If you’re in Anacortes Saturday, February 2nd, these guys will be there, too. Playing at the Brown Lantern. Check it.

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