Bitter, Bitter Weeks

Bitter, Bitter Weeks is the work of Philadelphia native Brian McTear. Brian McTear might be better known for his work as the producer of bands like Mazarin, Matt Pond PA and Lefty's Deceiver as well as the engineer of records for the Burning Brides, Swearing at Motorists, Eltro and countless lesser-known outfits across the Delaware Valley. McTear's own musical roots always lay somewhere strangely between folk music and avant noise rock (see his previous band the Marinernine) and in Bitter, Bitter Weeks he skillfully finds that common ground. With little more than a guitar, banjo, and Rhodes piano, the record delivers emotional complexity within a simple structure, like spiritual hymns translated and tempered from a noisy heart.