Joan of Arc

Item: Presents Guitar Duets
Author: Luke Kruse

Presents Guitar Duets

(2005)

Reviewed by Luke Kruse

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Label Record LabelDecapolisJuly 2005

ambient experimental

Joan of Arc has always been a difficult band to peg stylistically. Equally reviled and adored by critics, the Chicago indie-rock collective led by guitarist Tim Kinsella has released a fair amount of material, most notably for Jade Tree Records. The concept for ...Presents Guitar Duets is an interesting one that is only unsurprising because, well, it is Joan of Arc after all. Ten past and present members of Joan of Arc with guitar playing abilities got together and put their names into a hat. Each of the ten was paired off twice, which means that the album features ten guitar duets, with each player appearing on two tracks. Follow that? Anyways, this is an experimental album -even for Joan of Arc- and the product is a mixed bag of throwaway tracks of ambient noise, soothing fingerpicked acoustic numbers, and some atmospheric songs that succeed in creating both a mood and cohesiveness.

There are no real track names for these duets; they are simply titled with the names of the guitarists. The press-sheet for this album admits that some of these tracks were improvised in the studio. Certainly the near-unlistenable Track #5 is one of these tracks, and features guitars used as a percussive instrument, with the effect unfortunately destroying any momentum the album had built up to that point. Track #3 is probably the best track on the album, an ambient number that utilizes some great guitar effects. Also, the two tracks featuring Mike Kinsella of American Football/Owen fame are enjoyable numbers. However, duets like the 10 minute Track #7 are ultimately boring and pretentious displays of endless repetition. I really can't imagine how this album would appeal to anyone who is not a die-hard Joan of Arc completist. I applaud Joan of Arc for their creativity in attempting a concept like ...Presents Guitar Duets. Perhaps with a bit more thought and time, this record could have been something special. Unfortunately, this is the type of album that, for the typical listener, can function as no more than inoffensive background music.

2/4