Maybe More

“As all great concerts do, the evening’s set list ebbed and flowed between up-tempo, high-energy tunes contrasted with mellower songs, ultimately culminating in a sonic maelstrom that saw guitarist John Moen wading into the crowd to hang his guitar around a startled fan’s neck in a definitive act of audience participation.” – Parklife, DC

After coming home fired up from their 2017 tours (which included UK/Euro/US dates with Drive-By Truckers, Dream Syndicate, Fruit Bats, The Cribs) Eyelids headed into various studios in Portland to finish up a new batch of songs they had been working on. They ended up with a perfect combination of the lilting, powerful hooks of their recent Peter Buck produced album "or" alongside the spookier, more meditative moments from their debut album "854”. Oh and they added in a fiery rendition of The Gun Club’s “Sex Beat” (with Scott and Peter of R.E.M. throwing down alongside them) just to hammer the point home.

Now Eyelids could always write a earworm of a song (which is why "or" ended up many best of 2017 lists) and from the minute the needle hits this vinyl there it is again. With its rolling and intricate jangle Eyelids (like XTC, R.E.M. and The Byrds--their three biggest comparisons from the press) make their three distinct personalities/guitars become an amazingly powerful whole.

Musically there is a new layer to their sound. Guitars flutter and dive; strings and harmonies collide. From the beautiful opening chords of “Maybe More" to the screams of their cover of Gun Club's "Sex Beat" this is their most diverse offering yet. The tipped over folk of "Cannon & Dee" with its lush harmonies and the harsh melancholy of “Masterpiece (Wanna Die)” make for an emotional ride.

Flip the record over and you’ll discover a newly remastered live Eyelids performance from last year at the legendary Monty Hall (which is run by the equally legendary station WFMU). The show was a mess of great songs, crazed banter, special guests and features highlights from many of the last 9 (!) releases the band has put forth into the world over the last 4 years.

Eyelids are getting ready for more touring and recording in 2019, in the meantime we invite you to let this sonic celebration of where Eyelids are at and what they are moving towards sink in!