Brian Borcherdt The Remains Vol. 2. Release Date : April 5, 2005. Label: Dependent Records. Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. I like this album slightly less than Vol. 1, and I think that's just mostly by comparison. This was recorded at the same time as the last - I can't claim to know the mindset - if there was an even split with the intent of releasing a second album of material from the same session a couple years later; or if all the creamiest songs wen on the first one, and this one almost acts more of a b-sides album. It sounds though significantly less-varied, less of a huge gamut of emotions. Everything is a bit more even-tempoed, and straight-forward indie-art-rock songs. That's not to say this is a throwaway album by any means. I must stress that - Brian Borcherdt is an incredible songwriter. If he hadn't completely outdone himself with the earlier record, I would be swooning heavily with this one - I still am, just not as much as I figured I might be. Considering they were recorded at the same time it's a bit difficult to separate the two recordings, as much as I would like to. This album still builds up and falls over, towering, crumbling, telling stories of a love that just couldn't continue. The images Borcherdt paints with his words are heart-wrenching and intense. The soft moments are so incredibly soft, like a lullabye. The edgy moments are choppy and slightly uncomfortable. It's a miraculous sensation he has the ability to instill, the way he plays around so nonchalantly with our emotional state. "Wanna Leave The City" is great and punchy. "Bright Red Wagon" is more minimalist - tiny piano sounds following the vocal melody... is that a saw?? So much sorrow and deep dark thrumming sounds, coupled with high lilts... some songs are really flowy strummers that feel like marching through a sunny field, and others are so despondent that you just want to lie in your dim basement apartment and do nothing until the world just fucks off. Anthemy almost in a way... but still very even. It seems a short disc though - when I get into this music, I want to lie engulfed in it for a good solid hour at least!!!! So another great showing from Borcherdt. I can't wait to see what his next step will be. He must have something incredible up his sleeve. Song of choice : Hard to say. "Moments of Protest" is lovely, and "Stars Are Overrated" but "Wanna Leave The City" might juuuust edge out the others. -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere Brian Borcherdt website Published : June, 2005.