by osmosis

John Dwyer is a monster. In a good way. The amount of music that he’s had a hand in over the last decade is well beyond most other figures currently mucking about in the underground music world. From his work in Coachwhips to his relatively new ensemble Thee Oh Sees, Dwyer’s  adept amalgam of scuzz, garage, noise and pop makes for not only an interesting assemblage of sounds, but some good records as well. And on the heels of the In the Records’ release of Help from earlier this year comes a collection of demos and some weirdo downer, home recordings in the form of Zork’s Tape Bruise.

The fact that Zork is partially comprised of work recently released in proper form shouldn’t deter the devoted. Each take on the six tracks from Help (Rainbow, Enemy Destruct, Ruby Go Home, A Flag Unfurled, Can You See?, Soda St. #1, Destroyed Fortress Reappears) are not only unique when compared to the album versions, but also only make up about a quarter of the disc. The pop side of Thee Oh Sees seems to be better represented in these versions – the slower pacing of each track begging for the Dwyer and Brigid Dawson to take time to harmonize and the like.

 “You Are in My Glass,” which finds Dawson taking the lead on vocals is a folksy traipse through pop with a flute prominently figured as a solo instrument and still maintains the same slow pacing as those aforementioned retreads. The echo that so frequently accompanies work from Thee Oh Sees remains a constant, but seeing as the track is comprised of only two guitar chords and Dawson’s voice, this seems like a completely different group – that’s still an endorsement.

Even with that approach taking over a good deal of this odds and sods disc, the more shambolic side of the group is still present. “Untitled Byt Substantial” moves back to a recognizable Oh Sees’ pace and buries the vocals behind some whizzing noise and constant quarter note drumming. It’s not the highlight of the disc or the band’s ever ballooning catalog, but it probably beats out a good deal of whatever your local garage band is cranking out.

The ups and downs of Zork’s Tape Bruise aren’t going to entice the passing fan even if the stomp propelling “Hey, Conflicted Men” is undeniable. And seeing as the initial vinyl pressing has come and gone, hunting this down might be difficult anyway. It’s most assuredly worth a shot, though.