Campfire Songs

After postpunk sonic terrors The Men surprised everyone with a dash of Americana flavoring on *New Moon* earlier this year, it should come as no surprise that the Brooklyn band decided to release a rough, acoustic batch of songs, recorded … around a campfire. While ensconced in a cabin in upstate New York recording *New Moon*, the guys took breathers in the outdoors; they unwound and entertained themselves in a most offhand way. There\'s no polish here, no big selling point. *Campfire Songs* merely reflects the playful stretching of a darn good rock band. The first two tracks appear in quite different forms on *New Moon*. There, “I Saw Her Face” is a jagged, noisy Crazy Horse–inspired monster; here, it’s a wooly and warm love song. On *New Moon* “The Seeds” is an amiable, folky number, and here it adds a ragged Johnny Thunders romanticism. When thrumming electric guitars somehow weave their way into “Turn Your Color” and “Patience”—lending the tracks a trippy, droney, psych-rock texture—we still don’t question the acoustic theme or title. Both songs sprawl and churn for their lifespans of more than six minutes.

While holed up in a house in upstate NY, The Men took full advantage of their rural surroundings, in-house studio, and lack of recording timelines and obligations. They tracked over twenty-five songs. On top of that they also managed to record five songs acoustically, while sitting around a campfire outside the house. Before this year is over (2012) they will have already recorded an entire new full length. To say this band is prolific is an understatement; they are teeming, borderline prodigal even.

Campfire Songs is a collection of songs the Men recorded around a campfire during their Big Indian sessions for New Moon in Upstate New York, including two New Moon favorites, a New Moon B-side, and two sprawling new tracks.

The Men, just hanging around the fire, jamming. Making some tunes, in the woods, you know. No big deal.

I haven't felt this abused since queuing up in the rain every single Record Store Day to buy a Flaming Lips vinyl only to see it given later worldwide distribution in a slightly different color.