Disco de Why?: “Eskimo Snow”

Another fascinating, cryptic take on the mysteries of life, love, and death from Yoni Wolf, the brainchild behind the indescribable WHY?. Yoni's fixation with mummification and Egyptian imagery holds strong throughout this record as it was on a fair bit of 2008's Alopecia, but stylistically, Eskimo Snow is a whole different record. Trading in his signature hip-hop-meets-indie-rock flair, Yoni has created a record much more grounded in classic pop music than his previous works. I wouldn't want Yoni to give up his signature rapping style for good, but this is a great record full of beautiful music and enigmatic lyrics. Just when you think you're starting to wrap your head around the meaning behind a particular song, you'll hear a line that shifts your view, and slowly, bit by bit, the album paints a fascinating, skewed picture of what it means to be Yoni Wolf.

Standouts for me are opener "These Hands," which has a beautiful sing-song vocal harmony and lilting melody. "Even the Good Wood Gone" is a prime example of Yoni's disturbing obsession with mummification and the ancient Pharaoh, coupled with a driving piano lead and crashing drums. "Berkley By Hearseback," "This Blackest Purse," and "Eskimo Snow" are a triple-threat of gorgeous ballads, tinged with that signature WHY? sound that makes the band so damn irresistible. This may not exactly be the WHY? we all know and love, but this is a bloody good album and should appeal to any fan of the burgeoning indie movement.

Slightly Beach-Boyish. Always a warm Why'ish sound. Great memorable lyrics grab you as always. A touch of psychodelia (sic). Yoni's tired croaky voice is always good to hear, and like Michael Stipe to REM sets the character of Why? Delightfully subtle references to rock'n'roll backing harmonies from the past. Probably Why?'s deepest album to date, but not their most entertaining. At times they slump into a number sounding slightly reminiscent of a British indie rock band, and all of a sudden they're gone - (it's a short album).

To think that these songs were written and produced by Yoni and Co. at the same time of Alopecia is mind blowing. It may not be on the same level of the Alopecia songs but man is this a nice collection of recordings. First side is pure perfection and the last three songs are among Yoni's best. I've read a few lukewarm reviews and I personally don't understand what they're listening to? There are few artists who continue to challenge the listener lyrically and musically, and with this lp Why? deserve being touted "The real thing". I've listened to at least 150 cds this year and Eskimo Snow will certainly make my top 10. Give this one at least 5 or 6 spins before moving on. You won't regret it...

I hate to jump genres, but this is what the new Phish album "Joy" should've sounded like. And I can't be the only person out here who can hear similarities between this and Phish (think Billy Breathes). Regardless, this is an amazing album start to finish, a joy to listen. Amazing to me, listening to this and going back to Clouddead. For those hesitant, check out "Into Shadows of My Embrace."

Although this album is much shorter than Why?'s previous releases, I find I enjoy this one the most. Though the injections of rap into indie rock seen on previous albums are distinctly missing, Why? manages to retain their distinct sound. It is telling that Eskimo Snow holds none of the hip-hop elements of Why?'s previous albums while still maintaining the feel of Why?.