Les Savy Fav – Inches
(French Kiss)

Over the years I’ve found myself easily referring to many bands as “one of my favourites”. Only recently did I realize that by doing this, I’ve been spreading myself way too thin. If everything is one of my favourite bands or records, then something only moderately good could accidentally end up being rated alongside a band that definitely deserves higher praise. Les Savy Fav is a band that I’ve referred to as “one of my favourites” for some time. However, believe me when I say that they surpass every other favourite band or record floating around in a limbo of above average bands and records. They exist in a dimension of their own.

Inches was a project started by the band in 1996 before the release of their first full length album. The main idea was to release nine seven inches containing two songs each, with individual cover artwork designed by the band. In the end the nine records would be combined to create one giant piece of art. Each seven inch would contain two songs, both related to each other and related to the piece of art on the cover. The songs would be written specifically with the project in mind, and each record would be released on separate record labels including The Self Starter Foundation, Tiger Style, Desoto, Sub Pop and many others. Seven years later, in October of 2003, the last two songs (Meet Me in the Dollar Bin, Hold on to Your Genre) were recorded and released and the project was completed. And now for those who missed out on picking up all of the albums on vinyl, the band has released the entire collection on cd (through bassist Syd Butler’s record label, French Kiss Records), along with a bonus limited run dvd.

The cd starts with the last two songs released, the aforementioned “Meet Me in the Dollar Bin” and “Hold On to Your Genre”. Both songs successfully march side by side with many of the tracks found on their last full length release, Go Forth. The cd then continues backwards in time until we end up with the very first seven inch of the collection, released on Sub Pop and containing “Blackouts” (re-released on their first full length, 3/5), and “Rodeo”. Both a more raw version of Les Savy Fav, missing the production techniques of six years from then, but shows an early example of the lyrical creativity of lead singer Tim Harrington, (“cheerios like red blood cells, my bowl is full”). Between the first and last release, we get the loss of one guitarist and the replacement of a drummer, a special appearance by David Cross, and some help from fellow Brooklyner’s Enon (another one of my favourites) on a spoken word track that plays like a radio drama. Fans will also be happy with the complete list of lyrics for all of the songs on the cd.

STAND OUT TRACKS: Meet Me in the Dollar Bin, We’ll Make a Lover of You, The Sweat Descends, Knowing How the World Works, One Way Widow, Yawn Yawn Yawn, Our Coastal Hymn…………

It’s noted in the liner notes that Inches comes with a limited edition dvd which future pressings may not include. Although the cd is completely worth picking up on its own, the dvd is definitely an added bonus. It contains music videos (some made by members of the band), and three songs (Disco Drive, Knowing How the World Works, Who Rocks the Party?) from a live performance taped in Brooklyn, 2003. The most interesting part of the dvd would be the album commentary. Never before have I heard a band do commentary on an actual album. Basically the song plays, the album cover sits on the screen, and the band members talk about stories behind the creation of the song. Definitely a cool idea which could open up the idea of other bands doing the same. The most entertaining of the commentaries is David Cross’ rambling stories told on “Hello Halo, Goodbye Glands”. The dvd also contains a series of photos taken of the band over the years. The only complaint I would have about the dvd is that I would love to see more live footage from different shows over the years.

Overall, any fans of Les Savy Fav’s inspired guitar work (U2’s the Edge would be proud) and endlessly quotable lyrics (“rally up my friends and stand by my bedside”) will be more than satisfied with this collection of rare tracks. With everything finally in place, you’ll get the big picture. (It had to be done.) — Jay C.