Wasp’s Nests (London)
by Joshua Brown
The music of Wasp’s Nests was written and arranged by indie rock composer Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields. His rich, intricate, synthesizer work forms kaleidoscopic patterns which are breathtaking, both in their complexity of form and their simplicity of emotion. This sound is complemented by the use of widely varied musical instruments and 15 guest vocalists, a different one for each song with the exception of “Aging Spinsters” which is sung by Stephin Merritt himself.
Every song is pure, hummable pop music with basic structures and a staying power that etches permanent grooves into your memory. Though the lyrics are somewhat melancholy, the music is very summery. The contrast is like the taste of cold ice cream on a hot day.
Vocal appearances are made by Lou Barlow of Sebadoh, Mac Superchunk, Jeffery Underhill from Velvet Crush, Mary Timony of Helium, and a host of others, making The 6ths a kind of all-star game of indie rock. The first single from Wasps Nest’s will be “San Diego Zoo,” a succinctly sweet yet transcendent tune sung by Barbara Manning. The lyrics follow a poetic kind of dream-logic, associating the California highways, the zoo, and the loss of love all into one.