There are lot of memories floating around the grey, plastic confines of my Super Nintendo Entertainment System. I remember the time when I finally beat Starfox, the moment I defeated my cousin Dan in a fierce 7 round gauntlet of Super Mario Kart (Rainbow Road FTW!), and the sheer insanity that Uniracers put me through. Glorious wonderful times, despite the fact that I was probably closer to my Sega Genesis.
So, my ears were perked exceptionally high when one of my friends introduced me to Brooklyn, New York’s The Depreciation Guild. The band is two guys, Kurt Feldman and Christoph Hocheim, and a Nintendo Famicom. When I heard this, I was one part intrigued, another part worried. Seriously? A video game system as a band member? How could this possibly work without being some kind of cheesy gimmick? Are the concerts mini Gamer Conventions?
However, with a listen to their debut album In Her Gentle Jaws, all my fears were vanquished. It’s wonderful, dreamy shoegaze that co-exists with the very unique beeps and boops of a Nintendo soundchip, which is programmed by Feldman. Filled with atmospheric instrumentals (the title track, “Water Window”) and some wonderfully upbeat numbers (“Sky Ghosts,” “Butterfly Kisses), this is the kind of album that should not be dismissed; furthermore, In Her Gentle Jaws is ESSENTIAL for any self-respecting music lover. Seriously. Scout’s Honor and all that shit.
And it won’t kill your wallet either to dive into this album; it’s available FOR FREE off their website, in either a full album download or individual tracks. So, it’s worth checking out. You will certainly love it.
The Depreciation Guild’s Website *album downloadable from here*
TP Duderman and the World That Surrounds 