High Places vs. Mankind

VINYL FORMAT. High Places vs. Mankind is the second full-length album from Mary Pearson and Rob Barber. Formed as a Brooklyn duo in 2006, High Places have since relocated to Los Angeles, whose warmer temps and mountain vistas better fit the warmth of High Places' music and personalities. But relocation was but a small part of what's been a dynamic few years for the two. The title of High Places vs. Mankind accurately suggests the album will take a slightly altered course from the "goodness as growth reflected in nature" motif of the band's debut. A digital single released on Halloween entitled "I Was Born" demonstrated Rob and Mary using more standard instrumentation including guitars sounding like guitars, and the bassoon upon which Mary was classically trained. Her vocals are less effected and more present, but many aspects of the High Places sound and aesthetic remain intact. One hears dance rhythms, stereo effects, accessible melodies, dub influence, and as always, a love of layering and of combining the unexpected into something cohesive and new.