Megafaun’s Bury the Square Scores High on Pitchfork

Back in October of 2007, New Raleigh reviewed 3 new albums from Raleigh bands, with one of those being Megafaun’s Bury the Square.  A year and a new album cover later, the band scores a 7.5 out of 10 on Pitchfork, an online music magazine.

A bit of the review seems to center around the loss of Justin Vernon, now the singer of Bon Iver. Megaufaun + Justin Vernon (used to) = DeYarmond Edison. Vernon moved out west and Megafaun have stayed in the area.

calling

(local label Burlytime Records is ran by singer Brad Cook and Indy writer Grayson Currin)

their home.

Pitchfork drops the names Fleet Foxes and Sufjan Stevens in their review which attempts to direct younger audiences to the sound they will hear on Bury the Square. Vince seems to go a bit further back in his review (below). Considering the fact that DeYarmond dates Fleet Foxes by a couple of years, I would think it would be the other way around. Below is the New Raleigh October 2007 review of the album (click here for more album reviews)

Megafaun – Bury The Square (self-released) 6 songs in 39 minutes

Megafaun rose from the ashes of DeYarmond Edison, a band that spent most of its time in Raleigh out of the range of popular radar.  However, fans of DE will attest to the excellent songwriting and knack for improvisation.  The trio approach folk in a suttle, “everyone’s waking up from a wild night” type of way.  There’s harmony, disorientation, and ultimately, comfort.  The first half of the record has Megafaun running all over place; the first track, “Find Your Mark” starts strong, slows down and picks back up.  The second acts as the tape-loop induced coda for the first track.  The albums centerpiece, “Where We Belong”, clocking in at over 11 minutes emphasizes that notion of waking up in a somewhat lucid manner.  The next half of the record is more structured, with more solid vocals and harmonies in play.  There are times when the sounds of The Dead and The Band seem to be obvious.  This is good since they do their influences justice.  They sneak in electric guitar and alternate percussion to accompany the banjo and vocal harmonies that have reigned over the album for the last track, “Lazy Suicide.” This album provides Raleigh with a musical vernacular that is much needed in this town.

Read More

Music , Other posts by Jedidiah.