Published on Mar 3, 2018
Flock Of Dimes is the solo project of Jenn Wasner, who is half of the indie rock sensations Wye Oak. This outing is a place for her to experiment with synth and electronica, though she also takes help from players with trombones, trumpets, and saxophones. First and foremost, this disc is Wasner’s vision from beginning to end.
After a quick 20 second opener on the lush “Sometimes It Is Right,” Wasner gets right to the point with the shimmering beauty of “Birthplace,” where vivid percussion and subtle synths make it a sophisticated beginning. Things get more upbeat and quirky with the dense and layered “The Joke,” then go back to the '80s with the anthemic “Everything Is Happening Today,” which could have easily soundtracked any number of John Hughes movies.
One thing Wasner has proved time and time again with Wye Oak is her vocal prowess. This is on full display on quieter tunes like “Semaphore,” which moves into one of the busiest selections, the eccentric, almost sci-fi “Ida Glow.” “Apparation” and “Given/Electric Life,” on the other hand, put fingerpicking on display with dreamy displays of grace.
The back end of the album gets even more atmospheric with the hazy vocal effects of “Minor Justice,” the cascading, thick layers of “You, The Vatican,” and the sparse “…To Have No Answer,” which builds into a fusion of saxophones, keys, and blurred, chaotic vocals.
Wasner has already released a dance album under the moniker Dungeonesse, and here, she's knee deep in synth-pop while also bringing along pedal steel, pianos, and programmed electronica for the ride. While this sound most resembles Wye Oak's 2014 album Shriek, more importantly, it's another accomplished chapter from a woman with an unimaginable amount of talent who isn't afraid to explore all avenues of that talent. If you weren't a Wasner fan before hearing this, it's likely you will be after.