Let's Build a Fire

New York City act +/- {Plus/Minus} was originally conceived in 2001 as a vehicle for the songs of Versus guitarist James Baluyut, but the act quickly evolved into a full-fledged band, with the addition of fellow Versus guitarist/vocalist Patrick Ramos and drummer Chris Deaner. This new incarnation of +/- was an entirely original construct, layering wistful pop with dynamic and complex arrangements and fusing rich, dense guitar sounds with polyrhythms drummed, strummed and programmed. With the release of an EP and their sophomore album in 2003/early 2004, it became abundantly clear that +/- was applying pressure to the pop mechanism, assuring that it would indeed go "POP!" The last several years have earned the band a powerful reputation as a live act (which resulted in a support invitation from Death Cab For Cutie in 2005). After thorough touring and landmark shows at SXSW and the Noise Pop Festival, +/- signed to Absolutely Kosher Records and finished work on Let's Build A Fire, which is clearly the best record of their career thus far. A video for "Steal the Blueprints" (directed by Deaner) is featured on the finished CD.