June of 44 - Tropics and Meridians

There's a good review of this album at Time Isn't on My Side, where I first learned about the band. Tropics and Meridians (1996) is my favorite of their albums, and is their second release over all (Engine Takes to the Water was released a year earlier). The group consisted of Fred Erskine, Sean Meadows, Jeff Mueller, Doug Scharin, all of which appeared in numerous other bands mostly around the Louisville, KY area, including Lungfish, Codeine, Rex, Hoover. "Post-hardcore", "math-rock" appear to be thrown around in describing June of 44, but math-rock seems to have evolved into being synonymous with "chaotic" music, which June of 44 and particularly Tropics and Meridians is not. Creativity exists in the song structures, writing, and in the ways they explore the reaches of their instrumentation. Only six songs appear on this release, though the length of songs can be quite long with only one song under five minutes. The recording is solid enough, not spectacular, but does the job.

June of 44 - "Anisette"

"Anisette", the first song on the album also happens to be its longest. Its a groovy song, that builds from the drums outward. Interplay from both muted guitars, flows into open strumming setting the tone. Vocals cease the guitars and stand out as calls in the distance. Spoken lyrics begin while both guitars reappear, one panned hard right, the other hard left, playing beautifully off each other,while cymbal accents highlight their unified dance.

The fret slides, going back and forth between the guitars, define the song in my mind. I literally, haven't heard anything like that used like that in a song before. The middle of the song becomes another back and forth, this time between the vocals and the instruments. A return to the fret slides that break into single chord plucks. Then a breakaway and change in direction occurs, slowing the beat down. This rhythm becomes softer while previous lyrics are very subtly spoken in background, almost too quite to be audible to the ear, I didn't pick them up until after a few listens. The song closes by a return to its beginnings.

June of 44 - "Sanctioned in a Birdcage"

The final song on the album is one that is built on a base structure, steady pummeling drums and bass drive this song. One guitar keeps simple time through muted notes spaced over the measure. The other guitar branches out, sometimes adding lush distortion filled chords playing along with the others, than at other times creatively exploring other ways to build the feel and flow of the song. The vocals and lyrics are a perfect fit within the music, mirroring the music, providing an intensity and social-political tint.

Tropics and Meridians can still be found at Touch and Go Records. There's a wonderful instrumental song, "Lawn Bowler" that I didn't mention, be sure to check that out for further evidence of the outstanding guitar interplay by both guitarists. Also, "June Leaf" for an example of the band's understanding of solid songwriting.