Butterglory Are You Building a Temple in Heaven? Merge 1996

Butterglory Are You Building a Temple in Heaven? Merge 1996 CAT# MRG098LP

Throughout Butterglory's lifespan, it was focused around the duo of Matt Suggs and Debby Vander Wall, Californians who transplanted to Lawrence, KS after this album was recorded. They've had different players, but their sloppy lo-fi pop songs are primarily due to those members.

This LP represents the California version of the band when they were at their best. Like all their work, it sounds an awful lot like Pavement, but unlike the following album, Rat Tat Tat, it's much more obvious that Butterglory's sound developed independently of Pavement, the end result just happens to be similar, but, since Pavement got more popular, Butterglory gets dubbed a sound-alike.

Pavement took a lot of cues from Sonic Youth whereas Butterglory had a lot more Velvet Underground worship and if you listen hard enough, they even had jazz moves. Listening to this album, you sense that if given the chance, Butterglory would have made a huge sounding rock record, they just didn't have the budget to do so. The big riffs on "On Button On", make it pretty obvious, this band dreamed of a bigger sound, but without the means, you get the plaintive vocals and simple production. You end up with a lot of lo-fi cuteness, but still a great album.

On Button On

Butterglory Wait For Me Merge 1995

Butterglory Wait For Me Merge 1995 CAT# mrg084

This is both early Merge Records and early Butterglory. It's almost hard to believe that given Merge's current roster with the likes of Arcade Fire, that Butterglory would be on the label if they came out today. The release itself is number 84 on Merge's catalog. It's so simple and a far way away from the label's current glossy looks. The sleeve is just a folded over piece of paper that's screen pressed. The two 7"s included though, they were pressed on virgin vinyl, which in 1995, might have been the only option considering record plants were becoming fewer and fewer, but, let's just call it the early-era of Merge quality.

This release lists Visalia, California as home to Butterglory, so it pre-dates their dominance on the Lawrence Lo-Fi scene (which, never really existed, but you know). The formula was still the same back then for the band. Matt Suggs and Debbie Vander Wall cutting out some clever lo-fi pop tunes with some help from whoever was willing. They sound a lot like Pavement without the unexpected blasts of guitar and feedback. There are other elements, Debbie's plaintive vocals give the tunes a Moe Tucker Velvets feel. And Suggs is a witty songwriter, just at this time, pretty enamored by the lo-fi scene. All four songs are worth owning, even if you're not a completest, the EP is worth picking up if you happen upon it.

And, maybe Merge would still take a chance on Matt and Debbie's lazy brand of pop music. The label has certainly supported Matt Suggs throughout his career. They've also championed their back catalog recently so maybe a Butterglory retrospective is in order soon. (Would also be sweet to have that White Whale LP and Suggs' solo efforts on vinyl).

STUCK

Butterglory Rat Tat Tat Merge 1997

Butterglory Rat Tat Tat Merge 1997 CAT # MRG153

There are problems with this LP.  Previous work was very homespun and the cuteness of it all allowed you to ignore the band's flaws.  Once the production got cleared it up, the band's shortcomings come to light.  For one, they sound an awful lot like Pavement.  While they were contemporaries with the band, I've talked to some people in the know.  I asked about the Pavement sound on this LP and most have said the band was pretty in tune with what Pavement was doing (wink, wink).  Second, they borrow heavily from others.  I mean, obvious influences are great.  But, there are tunes that walk the line with lifting.  R.E.M. and the Velvet Underground come to mind when spinning this LP.

Aside from that, this album has what I consider the greatest song the band recorded, 'Carmen Cross.'  I love the song, it's not up on YouTube and I'm not savvy enough to transfer anything to the site myself.  But, if you get a chance, listen to it.  The winding melody and Debby's child-like vocals are great.

More over, their are moments of genuine originality.  Songs like 'Fight Fight Fight', and to a certain extent, 'Serpentine', showcase a slacker cowboy vibe.  You get a feeling the band wanted to do country, but in true lo-fi fashion scraped all the pomp surrounding the genre and just laid down what felt right.  Also, the negatives aren't that bad.  If you tell me (and a lot of other people) it sounds like Pavement, we're going to buy that record.  And, if you're going to lift, The Velvets and R.E.M. are pretty solid choices.

Serpentine

Butterglory Crumble Merge 1994

Butterglory Crumble Merge 1994 Cat #MRG 071

Long before the male/female duo of Mates of State formed in Lawrence, KS and moved to California to become rock stars, the duo of Matt Suggs and Debby Vander Wall moved from California to Lawrence, KS to become lo-fi, obscure, indie rockers.

The two were on the cutting floor of the biggest scene in 90's indie-rock.  They were contemporaries to the likes of Pavement and Archers of Loaf.  They were label mates with Neutral Milk Hotel, Polvo and Superchunk.  They never really got the same attention as the others, but they were in on it, they were part of the lo-fi scene.  They have a really twee-pop sound to them.  When Debbie takes lead vocals, you have to think Mo Tucker style Velvet Underground.  When Matt takes the duty, it's what you'd expect, indie-slacker style a-la Pavement.  They don't stray from from the pop spectrum, you get some feedback here and there, but no unexpected burst of guitar wailing.  It's all very cute.  And, as the liners indicate, it all sounds homespun on this LP.

Back in the day, my favorite part about the band wasn't even the music, it was the fact that Debby Vander Wall worked at the Love Garden.  I mean, most if not all record stores, have the cute indie rock girl working behind the counter.  She may look mousey and wear thick framed eye glasses, she may be covered in tattoos and look dangerous, but regardless, she's cute with great taste in music and you develop a crush on her trying to buy an album that starts a conversation with her.  Not only was Debby that girl at the record store, but she was in a band!  I mean, how could you not fall victim to that infatuation.  She not only has killer taste in tunes like you, she's in a band that tours and puts out albums.  You could be pictured on the liner notes, co-write a song, and be a part of it all if you could only find that one record that impresses her.

The Skills of the Star Pilot
Waiting on the Guns