God's Country by Leaf Peeper & Vesper Chimes
LB028
“God’s Country” is the new split album between Maine songwriter Leaf Peeper (Matt Brown) and Chicago duo Vesper Chimes (Ethan Parcell and Hannah Bureau). A robust six songs, “God’s Country” lives in the comfortable place between song and ambience.
The album is more of a true collaboration than just a cold ‘split,’ with both bands contributing significantly to each track. The songs led by Brown are humble, direct, and well crafted, with strummed guitar and straight singing. Vesper Chimes’ songs cover more mysterious territory, sometimes veiled behind reverb, with drones and finger-picked guitar. All throughout the album is a haze of other sound, a strange and interesting mix of field recordings, overdubs, harmonies, and extra instrumentation that never feels extraneous, and connects the two groups’ song offerings.
“God’s Country” was partially made by Leaf Peeper and Vesper Chimes at a house near a lake, and has the feeling of a vacation album. It is easy going, but hits hard sometimes – like weighty feelings that only let themselves out after a few days of vacancy and rest
Tracklist
| 1. | Fools for Love | 5:31 |
| 2. | The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice | 3:25 |
| 3. | In the Sun / Believing on the Couch | 8:31 |
| 4. | What Do People Do All Day? | 8:25 |
| 5. | Goddamnit, Marie | 11:13 |
| 6. | Easy Life | 4:35 |
Credits
All songs written, performed, and recorded by Leaf Peeper (Matt Brown) and Vesper Chimes (Hannah Bureau and Ethan T. Parcell) between 8/14 and 8/15, except as follows:
Adam Langellotti played many instruments on "In the Sun / Believing on the Couch," and co-produced the track as well
Brittany Karlson plays double bass on "Easy Life"
Borey Shin plays accordion on "Easy Life"
Cover photo by Scott Peterman
Recorded at the Hewnoaks Artist Colony - Lovell, ME; New System Laundry - Portland, ME; Siesta Mansion - Westbrook, ME; God's Country Cabins - Carrabassett Valley, ME; Peanut Sauce Studios - Roslindale, MA; Big Pink Two - Arlington, MA; Out of House and Home Studio - Florence, MA; and Newfound Lake in New Hampshire
Mike Cunnane helped with the transfers from tape and mastered the album
Special thanks to the Hewnoaks Artists Colony for bringing us together; to Greta, Scott, Bianca, and Ruby for showing us the way; to Carly for friendship and inspiration; to Mike for the support and solving audio problems in exchange for small amounts of lackluster ale; to Adam for being a good hippie and also a bad hippie; to Brittany for taking the bass for a walk; to Borey for being a one take wonder; to Gramps and Memis for loaning us their cabin and saving us from its balcony; to our families; and to the many friends not listed here.
