Herms, The / Drop Out, Vol. 1
Album: Drop Out, Vol. 1   Collection:General
Artist:Herms, The   Added:Dec 2013
Label:Castle Face Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2013-12-19 Pull Date: 2014-02-28
Week Ending: Mar 2 Feb 23 Feb 16 Feb 9 Feb 2 Jan 26 Jan 19 Jan 12
Airplays: 2 6 3 2 2 5 5 3

Recent Airplay
1. Jun 11, 2015: A Visit From Drum
Power Joystick
4. Mar 18, 2014: late night dryer
Kalypso
2. May 31, 2014: Buford J. Sharkley Presents: As Told to Hervey Okkles
Power Joystick
5. Feb 27, 2014: Stringless Balloon
The Organization (Tascam Demo)
3. Mar 20, 2014: Stringless Balloon
When We Comin' Through, Al The The Things You Do, Drop Out
6. Feb 25, 2014: late night dryer
Drop Out

Album Review
DJ Muscat
Reviewed 2013-12-19
Collection of demos and singles by the unfortunately long-since defunct Berkley band, released on John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees' Casteface label. The CD is full of lo-fi garage pop gems that range from distorted noise rock to crooning beauties (the first 3/4ths of the album in particular is flawless). John Dwyer himself said, "They are sun, heartbreak, pop and fried-static all in one master package". I can't think of a much better endorsement than that. PLAY ANY/ALL/EVERYTHING.
Favorites: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12. No detectable FCCs.

Similar artists/releases: Thee Oh Sees, The Doors, Fiery Furnaces recorded on a Tascam, The Unicorns "Who Will Cut Our Hair Once We're Gone?", Velvet Underground "White Light/White Heat", Women "Public Strain"

1. (4:56) **** Mid. Great bass with high energy guitar riffs. Monotone male vocals with somewhat goofy lyrics. Has some jazzy keyboard work toward the end. Builds to noisy jam. Great opening track.
2. (4:05) **** Mid. Starts right off the bat with thumping drums and playful guitar/synth. Almost spoken-word like vocals. Multi-segmented and wonderful
3. (3:32) **** Mid. Poppy synth melody. More prominent vocals. Definitely the most radio-friendly track here.
4. (3:13) ** Slow. Piano-driven ballad with surprisingly soulful vocals. Violin comes in. Becomes a kind of circusy, european folk song with added instrumentation ~ 2:00. Bizarre and lovely.
5. (3:09) ** Fast. Chugging bass line. Raspy vocals. Noisy rocker. Fake ending and then some snare hits before fading out for good.
6. (2:50) **** Mid. Catchy organ. At times the vocals sound almost drunken in the best way possible. Ends slightly abruptly.
7. (5:08) *** Mid. Intricate, textured guitars with groovy organ hook. Cool breakdowns every once in awhile. Fades out.
8. (1:38) ** Mid/Fast. Goofy with almost a rockabilly/bluesy feel. Could this band be any more charming?
9. (1:59) Mid. Instrumental. Fades in with signature off-kilter organ sound. Noisy, and slightly discordant.
10. (5:11) Slow/Mid. First appearance of acoustic guitar on the album. Romantic. Nice bass playing. A little too drawn out, but pleasant.
11. (4:33) * Fast. Quite distorted vocals. Noisy, chaotic, cathartic jam
12. (3:37) * Slow/Mid. Soft guitar strums. Acoustic. Destined for the credits of some unmade movie Reviewed by Muscat

Track Listing
1. Power Joystick   7. When We Comin' Through
2. The Organization (Tascam Demo)   8. Here We Are
3. Volleyball   9. Art School Groove Exit Theme
4. Now Everyone   10. Come On Down
5. Drop Out   11. Kalypso
6. Al The The Things You Do   12. This Operation