Carissa's Wierd: They'll Only Miss You When You Leave - Songs 1996 - 2003

Carissa's Wierd
They'll Only Miss You When You Leave: Songs 1996 - 2003
Hardly Art Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: You probably missed out on Carissa's Weird the first time - this compilation catches you up!

Album Review:
Everyone always has to start somewhere and for the bands Sera Cahoone, Grand Archives, and Band of Horses it all started with Carissa's Weird. Now that I got your attention about this somewhat unknown Seattle band, Hardly Art Records (Sub Pop sister label) has released this excellent 16 track compilation of their music, which surprisingly only gives a little insight into the future but is a perfect slice of their material. One thing for sure is that Carissa's Weird was under appreciated during their existence, as I think their somewhat slow core hush style plays better today then it did during their tenure. The band is mostly driven from the complementing vocals of Mat Brooke and Jenn Ghetto with moments of melody, that are supported by violins, carefully played guitar, drums and a very lo-fi undertone. These components all work, as Carissa's Weird relied on delicate song arrangements that at every moment sound like they might fall to pieces but instead embrace their own fragility and swoop upward at that very moment. I think most people who will check out Carissa's Weird for the first time here, should be impressed and likely will get some great listens out of this compilation. Surprisingly enough, Band Of Horses leader Ben Bridwell stays mostly in the background here as he played drums at several different points in the groups career. They'll Only Miss You When You Leave is a solid listen and highlights that Carissa's Weird should have had more exposure but it also gives you the back story of how three current bands evolved out of its ashes.

Key Tracks: "Die", "Phantom Fireworks", "All Apologies And Smiles, Yours Truely, Ugly Valentine"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Death Cab For Cutie
Eulogies
Beach House

Carissa's Weird MySpace
Carissa's Weird Facebook
Hardly Art Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony