The Conundrum Tree

Davey Wrathgaber, the off-kilter poet, songwriter and humorist who calls himself The Visitations, approaches each new album with a theme in mind. What prevents any of the records from becoming too self-aware (as many 'concept' albums become) is Wrathgaber's careful disregard for strict narrative guidelines in favor of focusing on writing well-constructed pop songs that challenge the listener to listen. On The Conundrum Tree, the third release under The Visitations moniker, Wrathgaber (who formerly performed in Fablefactory, Elf Power) contributes thoughtful passages to the black comedy that is love, hate and the nothing between. The album, which features Athens notables Derek Almstead, Jason NeSmith and Matt Hudgins, seamlessly combines literate, often farcical, always clever lyrics a la Smog, Magnetic Fields and Will Oldham with the tasty, psychedelic hooks that helped cement The Visitations' home town of Athens, Ga. as the 'Pop Metropolis of the South.' Some of the vocal melodies are pushed forth with a desperate sense of urgency not unlike those of The Mountain Goats; some hummed like a walk on a sun-drenched summer day in a sing-songy Southern town; and others whispered with the eerie omniscience of a man travelling backwards in time.