Betelmire – Polyester Tea (2008)

 

Rain Above

 

• Drone pop 
• Organcore 
• Indie pop 
• Lo-fi 
• DIY 
• Singer-songwriter 
• New Weird America 
• Twee pop 
• Bedroom pop 
• Indietronica 
• Dream folk 
• Americana 
• Experimental pop 
• Avant-pop
• Electronic
• Free folk

Comment: first of all, I can admit that Polyester Tea is almost as good as Betelmire's second (chronologically first) issue called 606 MPH (2005). 606 MPH is just pure gold by a female singer-songwriter from the Northwestern part of the United States who had used a cassette machine to record music composed on low-end electronic keyboards, an ukelele and her compelling dreamy singing to charm listeners with stunning melodies and blossoming harmonies. In hindsight, this restricted range of instruments seems to be somehow an inspiring soil to get the utmost result from it. To have drifted between electronic and acoustic, between familiar songwriting and uttermost vanguard pop experiments. Crossing the line with decency and credibility. Undoubtedly the span of time she had been surrounded by was truly fruitful and tumultuous – a musical movement called New Weird (America) was on full sway and on the other side Beach House through their obsessively droning minimalist indie songwriting lighted up a way to be followed. Additionally one can perceive muscles of twee pop. Thirdly, I can remember for then strong DIY scene, one of which platforms was CLLCT, a platform for recording bedroom artists. I can not remember anymore maybe Betelmire was a bit of it is as well but by her musicianship and attitude she could have had a perfect match. Let's mention some outstanding songs on Polyester Tea – Bird & Bee, Bedroom Unreality, Normandy Park, Auburn, Hidden Track (Lullaby). The issue is a part of the discography of Rain Above Records. Thank you, Betelmire for punching your unforgettable trace into my soul and mind. Good night, sleep tight.

Betelmire – 606 MPH (2005/2010)

Rain Above

• Indie pop 
• Alternative pop 
• DIY 
• Lo-fi 
• Folk indie 
• Drone pop 
• New Weird America 
• Organcore 
• Singer-songwriter 
• Indie folk 
• Bedroom pop 
• Indietronica

Comment: I would like to call this set of 8 tracks an instance of old school indie. More profoundly, I mean the music coming out from the 80s, the 90s, and the 00s by the US-based indie mavericks such as Galaxie 500, Yo La Tengo, and Low (with regard to their more restrained moments). On the other side, the issue was released in the middle of the 00s which was the heyday of the Weird New America movement. I really liked and still like such indie chicks who produce lo-fi tinged droning organ/harmonium-based indie being accentuated with blissful melodies and wondrous harmonies. The sort of music where simple elements meet complicated ones yet the flow of it is flawlessly organic and dynamic having been recorded on a 4-track cassette machine. It makes you relaxed and withdraws you from shitty topics around you for a while. It is the meditation. For instance, listen to the ending track Preston Parker which saves one`s soul due to vibrant droning and enchanting female singing. The same can be said about the rest of the 18-minute release. The issue is a part of the discography of Rain Above Records. Without any hesitation it will be added to the compartment – Outstanding music.