专辑简介

The official beginning of Burlap for Bear would likely be Christmas Day 2011 when brothers Scott (vocals, guitar, piano) and Matt Baldwin (percussion, vocals, piano, guitar) received a gift from their parents: a day at Arbor Ridge Recording Studio in Chapel Hill, NC. What followed was The Close and Holy Darkness. The album was recorded in just two days -- one during the Christmas Holidays of 2011 and the other during the Christmas Holidays of 2012. The studio is run by Jeff Crawford, whose minimalistic approach and calm demeanor definitely found its way into the songs. Additionally, other than for Castle, recording sessions for this album did not have a drum set. This was an embraced constraint.

The content of the songs on The Close and Holy Darkness borrow from both Matt and Scott's experiences. Being brothers, Matt and Scott speak nearly daily about the goings-on in life. So, the sources of inspiration are well known by both, and thus songs flow very naturally. As would be expected, the themes of the value of family appear. Castle and Tin Man show how the departure from authenticity will alienate lovers, with each song offering the hope of redemption by the end. An Interlude for Gene Frederick Wilson was written about the love that kept the grandparents of Matt and Scott together for 60+ years until Gene's death in 2013. Dear Son is a panicked episode of existential guilt. There are no obscurities in Come Closer. It is a challenge to be a loving person, to come to terms with who you are and share that with others. In the age of post-rock alienation and cynicism, the gift of close friends and dedicated family are devalued -- Come Closer challenges this.