The Long Winters' Putting The Days to Bed

Seattle-based The Long Winters' third LP, Putting the Days to Bed is a relaxed pop album released on July 25, 2006 on Barsuk Records. The album's 11 songs are all original recordings written and produced by John Roderick. The Long Winters blend melodic pop with honest songwriting in a way that is refreshing in its simplicity but elegant in its execution. Putting the Days to Bed is only a slight departure from their previous releases but is clearly their most mature work to date.

Don't Put The Days to Bed Just Yet

There is little violence in the melodic pop tunes on The Long Winter's third LP. Neither is Putting the Days to Bed a "quiet" album. John Roderick and his band are not afraid to press hard on their pedals and strum aggressively on their instruments -- so long as their fans can always sing along.

The guitar-work that interacts with Roderick's vocals are melodic in the best way -- jumping with lively verve -- and are a convincing counterpoint to his terse vocal style, which is consistent throughout the album.

As each song builds into a compelling climax, delicious vocal harmonies are a reliable treat (compliments of the backing voice of bassist Eric Corson.) And even songs that espouse individuality (as in "Teaspoon," where Roderick sings "I know I wasn't made to play on a team...") the tunes are almost orchestral -- Nabil Ayers sturdy drums unite with Corson's driving bass underneath light-footed guitar work and muscular vocals.

This is not music that takes much effort -- to enjoy, that is. It sounds as though the musicians are having a good time as well. Which makes singing along that much easier.

Highlight

In "Rich Wife," Roderick and Co. let go, if just for 3 minutes and 55 seconds, and offer a much-needed counter to the feel-good vibes of most of the album. In the tune, which opens with a bending and swaggering guitar lick and grows increasingly bitter with each phrase, Roderick sings "Is your high horse getting a little hard to ride? / And your 'little bit on the side' getting harder to find / You should have been a rich wife." It's hard not to relish the fact that he seems to be singing to one horrible, deserving wench.

Track Listing

1. Pushover
2. Fire Island, AK
3. Teaspoon
4. Hindsight
5. Sky Is Open
6. Honest
7. Clouds
8. Rich Wife
9. Ultimatum
10. (It's A) Departure
11. Seven