Iran – Dissolver (2009) [Narnack] // Grade: B-

It’s been about 7 years since Iran released their lo-fi gem The Moon Boys which dropped just before Iran’s guitarist Kyp Malone’s other project, TV on the Radio started gaining the kind of traction that would no doubt put a follow-up to The Moon Boys on the back burner. I’m not sure what singer/song writer Aaron Aites did in that interim while his guitarist’s other band became one of the most critically praised of this decade. I assume he spent the time a little jealous and penning these songs, but whose to say? What I do know is that in that time Iran’s lo-fi aesthetic was totally re-evaluated into the band that you hear on Dissolver.

It’s kind of interesting that Iran chooses now of all times to ditch their Lo-Fi sound, just as a  vibrant Lo-Fi movement in NYC and out west is gathering steam, but I guess you just don’t pass up on David Steick (TV on the Radio) willing to lend his expertise on your next album. I could however have done without the occasional TV on the Radio like moments slipped in. However the Pavement like moments like say on “Baby Lets Get High One Last Time Together” I’m all good with!

I’m certain the many fans Iran gained from The Moon Boys will surely be put off by the polished Dissolver. But for those of you willing to look past production will find the same strong sense of melody and song writing that used to be buried by mounds of tape hiss, feedback and poor micing. It’s kind of up to you now to decide if you’re the type of person who liked Iran solely on their production aesthetic or if their song writing played into it at all. I’ll admit that without the lo-fi production these songs do lose some of their urgency and charm that made The Moon Boys so great, but these are still strong songs that make for a good, but more straight forward indie rock record. Dissolver feels like a stepping stone to prove to fans and probably themselves that they are capable of moving past just being known for their production value choices, and thriving.

As with I’ve found with later Guided By Voices and other Lo-Fi greats… if you’re willing to move past the sonic shift, you’ll still find a vast and interesting world to explore.

- My Pal the Crook