Civillian

Formed in mid-2006, Wye Oak (formerly known as Monarch) are Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack. Jenn & Andy have been playing music together and apart in Baltimore, MD, and chose their name from the honorary state tree of Maryland. 'Civilian' (their fourth album) is imbued with dense shoegaze guitars, nearly melodic rhythms, and impeccable splashes of electronic color. The songs beguile with fascinating chords and melodies, Jenn's voice and riveting lyrics, mesmerizing rhythms, and an intoxicating aural landscape. Just as good writing has meaning between the lines, Civilian has meaning between the sounds: the combinations of harmonies, timbres, and words summon vivid and ineffable associations just beyond reach. Wye Oak are building up a bigger profile by the day and look like being the next Baltimore indie band (after Yeasayer, Beach House, Animal Collective) to break through to more commercial successes.