Supposedly, Pit Er Pat named their album "Pyramids" for the reappearing pyramid
motif that occurred in their own lives, even in the number of members in their band. Recorded with Tortoise's John McEntire, instrumental atmospherics are another repeating theme in this record. Ethereal jumping keyboards backed by bass guitar are mated with blank, simple lyrics and unpredictable jazz drums reminiscent of Chicago in the 1920s.
Recorded in a mere 11 days, "Pyramids" shows clear improvement over the rigid construction and lack of variation of Pit Er Pat's debut LP, 2005's "Shakey." Over half of this record was improvised in the studio, allowing for much more interesting results and allowing Pit Er Pat to break free from the rigid construction of their last album. This notwithstanding, the songs on "Pyramids" hardly sound thrown together; each one blends smoothly to the next and contains intricacies and multi-layering, a new venture for the band.
All three musicians in Pit Er Pat are clearly very experienced musicians: Bassist Rob Doran was one of the founding members of Alkaline Trio; Fay Davis-Jeffers is a classically trained pianist; and drummer Butchy Fuego has worked with Neutral Milk Hotel. The different musical backgrounds and styles that each inputs creates an original and interesting formula for music; however, if the members actually were arranged in a pyramid based on importance, it is drummer Fuego who would be at the top. Fuego acts as a keystone for the band, with his Chicago jazz-influenced drumming holding the three-piece together.
Davis-Jeffers' takes the helm as the main singer on "Pyramids," with Rob Doran and Butchy Fuego backing on selected songs. Her lyrics are simple and innocent and sometimes comparable to later Blonde Redhead. Although sometimes slightly venturing off key, these nuances add to the na'vet?© of the music.
The songs are often ethereal and organic. One of the standout songs is "Pyramid," where the listener is brought to a distant expanse. Foreign rhythms begin the song, and Davis-Jeffers' lyrics sound dark, but there is no telling the intentions of the singer. Before even becoming aware of it, the listener gets swept into the next song.
However, at many points in this album the name Pit Er Pat shadows the actual sound that their music embodies, because although musically innovative and original, it is not particularly striking to the listener. One could just as easily have "Pyramids" playing on repeat while they wait in the hotel elevator as they could have the smooth jazz saxophone solos of Kenny G. (Interesting fact: the "G" is an abbreviation of "Gorelick.") This by no means is saying that Pit Er Pat has the musical qualities of Kenny G, but that it is lacking in the efficacy to instill any sort of emotion in the listener.
"Pyramids" is well done and pleasing to listen to, but it can at times seem boring and uneventful. The ethereal nature that encompasses the album is attractive, but sometimes too light and drifty. Pit Er Pat clearly did make a great improvement from its last album, but it does not have the expressionistic qualities that would make it a memorable album to listen to in years to come.
