Minneapolis duo Peter Wolf Crier released their sophomore album Garden of Arms this week on Jagjaguwar entitled Garden of Arms. After being completely enamored with their stripped down debut, Inter-Be, I wondered where they could possibly go from there—turns out, everywhere.
I saw Peter Wolf Crier at Bottom of the Hill in late January of this year. The crowd was intimate; it was a classic San Francisco winter night. The air was dank and chilly but the inside of the club radiated warmth from the beginning of their set until the end when we all exited in a hazy fog. For a duo playing
Singer and guitarist Peter Pisano and drummer Brian Moen share an intrigue live that makes their performance wholly captivating, and that, coupled with Pisano’s graceful songwriting, is a true recipe for success. So, after loving their debut Inter-Be through and though, I worried that their next release would be overblown.
They had just performed over 100 shows in 6 months. They were no doubt exhausted. What would come of this next phase in their career? Would they be plagued by the sophomore slump? Would they be discouraged by the regime of the industry machine? What is to become of this everyman’s band?
Put your worries to bed people, Peter Wolf Crier has done it again. Garden of Arms is every bit as great as Inter-Be is but with the added confidence that only months on the road and hours behind your instrument can provide. The songs are much more experimental than the previous release, layered with
Peter Wolf Crier’s new album is available on iTunes and through Jagjaguwar. They play San Francisco November 4th at Café du Nord. Local sensations Birds & Batteries provide main support. Doors are at 8:30, tickets are $10 and the show is 21+.