Heather Duby's Sub Pop-issued
Post to Wire politely ignores the Northwest's heavy rock and quirky indie axis, preferring a moody blend of 4AD-style texture and vocals reminiscent of
Surfacing-era
Sarah McLachlan. Noted producer, engineer, and general Guy About Town
Steve Fisk strikes again here, conjuring a great batch of tracks to support
Duby's dewy vocals. "Judith" suggests a remixed
Loreena McKennitt, while "You Loved Me" gets beautifully lost in treated percussion, layers of faraway guitar, and
Duby's own echoing vocals. It sounds like
Lamb covering
the Cocteau Twins. Other highlights include the spare and chilly "Falter," the otherworldly childhood reminiscence "Healthy Fear of Monsters," and "For Jeffrey," where
Duby's near-choral harmonies are supported by the meeting of warm organ and chattering electronic beats. Ultimately,
Post to Wire seems more like an experiment in texture than an album. But there's no denying
Duby's talent as a vocalist, or the record's worth as a mood piece. ~ Johnny Loftus