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High Time

Thrill Jockey
thrill 208 - 2008

CD version is presented in a 4 panel mini-LP style jacket. LP version includes a massive fold-out poster & free download coupon.

Pit Er Pat is Fay Davis-Jeffers (vocals, piano, guitar, kalimba), Rob Doran (bass, vocals, guitar, electronics) and Butchy Fuego (drums, vocals, percussion, electronics/programming). High Time was recorded at the bands own studio, “Top Cat”, by Butchy Fuego, who has also recently recorded Soft Circle and Matteah Baim.

From Shakey to Pyramids, from 3D Message to Feel No Pain, Pit Er Pat’s recorded output has no easily definable style. It instead represents their evolution as modern musicians, who’s affinity for pop and melody is filtered though their desire to have a truly singular voice. Modern Music if you will. The band are clearly comfortable with the fact that this music acknowledges several, yet exists outside of any one, genres. There is a consistency in all of the recordings in that they are all unmistakably Pit Er Pat. Their musical focus remains firmly grounded in rhythm, while incorporating a strong sense of melody and harmony to dance above the complex rhythms and to stretch the layers to lofty heights. A significant difference on High Time was that because it was recorded in the band’s own studio, they could spend the natural amount of time that the songs needed to become fully realized. The additional time allowed the band to work a horn section into several songs. The horn arrangements were done by Dylan Ryan (Icy Demons, Bronze, Herculanium) while Nick Broste and Nate Lepine played trombone and flute. Pit Er Pat also employed a variety of new instruments including electric kalimba, bobo balaphone, Burmese temple gongs, agogo bells, anandolohori, cuica, timbale, conga, bongos, vibraslap, various shakers, bells, chimes, claps, and melodica to name a few. Many of these instruments are used in traditional and spiritual music. That connection with music made for escape appealed to the band who personally explore elements of spirituality, be they mystical or merely the more introspective exploration of the terrible joy of existence.

It is important to note that whilst layered with many delicate details the record was not assembled like a collage. Pit Er Pat instead wanted to be sure to capture the energy of the performances, so little or no editing was done on the basic tracking. From song to song the album unfolds revealing many aspects of the band's aesthetic attitude - from the raw, lively sound of "The Cairo Shuffle," to the mellow, slinky funk of "Omen," to the expansive swirling celebration of "The Good Morning Song." The powerful focused energy in the music is consistent throughout. Even the more laid back grooves on songs such as “My Darkers” have this undeniable bounce to them. High Time is a perfect elixir for your Indian Summer. Its gentle and driving grooves are irresistible and its delicate layers reveal with every listen.

Tracklist

00:00:00

  • ">1
  • 2 Evacuation Days
  • 3 Omen
  • 4 My Darkers
  • 5 Copper Pennies
  • 6 The Cairo Shuffle
  • 7 Creation Stepper
  • 8 Trod-A-Long
  • 9 The Good Morning Song