Album Review: Flock Of Dimes – Head Of Roses (Sub Pop)

Wye Oak singer, songwriter, producer and multi-skilled instrumentalist Jenn Wasner released her second album as Flock Of Dimes this month.  Head of Roses is a collaborative effort conceived and born during the pandemic lockdown, when she had time to delve introspectively into her broken relationship/s. The result – a beautifully cathartic dance of sorrow, pain and love.

Unlike her first album which she produced alone this LP is co-produced with Nick Sanborn along with musicians Meg Duffy, Matt McCoughan and Adam Schatz whose valuable input brought her vision to light.

In each of the ten tracks her exquisite, elegiac and airy voice dips, flows and makes sudden jagged sinuous turns; sometimes featuring centre stage and on others is woven, feathery between notes and instrumentals.

2 Heads is a jarring mix of electric guitar exploration, while Price of Blue begins with more reedy stronger vocals tinged with sadness and the jagged contorted guitar riffs add a sense of the torturous emotions that convey heartbreak and confusion.

Two begins on a lighter note with a bouncy rhythm. The lyrics convey a questioning soul pondering singledom vs coupledom and Wasner’s voice along with vocal backing and instrumentals including flute-like tunes contrasts with the previous two tracks as does Walking which begins with acoustic guitar, her voice stronger as the electric guitar is added along with synthesised higher notes eclipsing the track as it builds.

Hard Way has a slower rhythmic tempo and between her lyrics, this track reverts to the jagged riffs that add to the ambience of the track title.

Lightening begins with dreamy vocals, as it rolls along tinted with sadness. The short bursts of a deep horn add interest then the track finishes quietly ‘but I can’t live like that…’

One More Hour shows the fullness of Wasner’s voice – long high floaty and echoing notes  and the track ending quietly with gentle tapping – No Question showcases the mystical vocals and layering of sound; tinkling piano intwines with a whooshing that gives this track a gossamer feel and I hear the southern country blues influences in Awake for the Sunrise. Not surprising as Jenn Wasner hails from Northern Carolina, USA.

Head of Roses, the title track begins with piano and simplistic sonics once again expressing the beauty, sorrow and vulnerability felt in heartbreak.

Jenn Wasner has a unique voice and this collaboration is an interesting mix of exploration and inventiveness. With a decade of experience behind her Flock of Dimes is worth a listen and it will be interesting to see what a 3^rd album might bring,

Megan Kemplay

Click here to watch the 13th Floor MusicTalk interview with Jenn Wasner