Perhapst
Perhapst
In Music We Trust; 2008
What’s the quickest way to confuse a drummer? Put a piece of sheet music in front of him. I enjoy that joke because it works on two levels: 1) drummers are frequently accused of not being “real” musicians, since 2) drummers are too dumb to actually learn how to read music. In most bands, the primary function for a drummer is to be the wild and crazy guy who keeps a consistent rhythm as best as possible (thought they’re typically found guilty of either dragging the beat or galloping ahead of the rest of the group). And as important as that task is, drummers are still mercilessly picked on for their supposed lack of talent: they’re not the singer, they’re not the guitar player, and they need the bass player to translate for them. It might not be a fair criticism, but it can be a steady stream of amusement.
Then along comes John Moen with his attempt to dispel those criticisms. Serving as the regular drummer for indie rock stalwarts The Decemberists, Moen spent his most recent time off from to record and release some of his own music under the moniker Perhapst. As Moen performed most of the instruments on the album, the self-titled project showcases his capacity for catchy folk-pop music and is an admirable attempt to display that he has musical abilities in front of a drum kit (granted, having Stephen Malkmus assist occasionally on guitar never hurts). Nevertheless, what works against Perhapst is that is recycles some of the same sonic textures a bit too frequently, most notably the acoustic guitar patterns on “Hyper Planets,” “Cruel Whisk,” and “Alarmand.” A five-song EP containing tracks like “Maryanne,” “Caution,” and “Harbour” might have been a much better choice for an initial release, as it would have provided greater focus in the studio, while still granting Moen key experience as a frontman/lead songwriter. In the end, Perhapst is a passable, albeit bland, collection of songs from a drummer who has proven that he’s not your average drummer; just don’t expect Moen to replace Colin Meloy any time soon.