PILEUP

BAND DISCOVERED
After discovering Flesh And Bone Records through Greet Death and Seth Beck, I decided to dive into the label’s back catalog and give some of its releases a listen. I have to admit, not many of them were familiar to me. But that’s hardly surprising when you’re based in Cologne and exploring the output of a small do-it-together independent label from Chicago.
So I started clicking my way through the catalog, initially making the admittedly superficial decision of judging records by their cover art. That’s how I ended up with Pileup and their second full-length, Leave The Light On, released on cassette in collaboration with Pleasure Tapes Ltd.
From the opening moments of „Chain“ and the follow-up „Lightning,“ I was completely hooked. This is exactly my kind of record. Even though the second half slows things down a bit and occasionally drifts into more sentimental territory, I thoroughly enjoy what this Portland-based band brings to the table. It’s straightforward indie (slow)rock with a handful of unexpected twists, delivered with complete confidence and an effortless sense of ease. Pacific Northwest at its finest.

CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
raw | introspective | unpretentious

BESIDES THAT
The instrumental outpouring in No Pyre, No Remembrance which sets a poem by vocalist Nathan Urbach to music before flowing seamlessly into the minimalistic Lying In The Road is a defining moment. Plus the haunting Omen On the Rail with its hypnotically monotone vocal delivery, draws me in deeper with every listen.

WISH
Maybe someday there will be a vinyl available.