2 out of 5

Label: Auris Apothecary

Produced by: Rare Candies

While I appreciate recording everything – I have snippets of writing dating back years that are just stashed away, going nowhere – there is a question of whether or not that ‘everything’ needs an audience. Rare Candies’ solo lo-fi works on this 7″ have traces of tunes that I imagine could support something pretty substantial, but this is music in a very, very raw form; that of ideas. The opening cover of Snapper’s Buddy – already a pretty repetitive song – is stripped down to a heroin-paced solo guitar and even more monotone vocals than the original; it’s an interesting addition to an album, perhaps, but more of a ditty on its own – or here, backed up by some barely-there songs.

The bandcamp page for this mentions GBV, Elliot Smith, and Pedro the Lion, and that’s… spot on. Run Clear and the title track are a drumless Robert Pollard tune and Smith, respectively, though even at 2.5 and 3 minutes these feel stretched thin – taking the lead from ‘Buddy’ and repeating after a chorus and verse. Final track June Song feels the most developed: its music and lyrics match a particularly wistful, sad vibe, and it actually has some build up.

Still – these all amount to sketches, or things to play to warm up the creative juices. Auris Apothecary is a home to micro releases, and so that’s nice to give it a home, I’m just not sure there’s necessarily an audience for it beyond the curious, collectors, or the artist.