Very limited single from Liz Harris aka GROUPER. Harris is back on guitar on these songs & they sound like crisper & beefier versions of the "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" era.

We've been pretty much obsessed with all things Grouper from day one and to say that we were anticipating a new release from Ms. Harris with bated breath is an understatement to say the least. You can imagine our near death by spontaneous combustion when we found out that she was releasing two records ON THE SAME DAY. Liz Harris has graced us with a few singles and EPs since the incredible "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" and though we love pretty much everything she does, the album format is where she shines brightest. "AIA: Dream Loss" reminds us most of Harris' amazing "Cover the Windows & Walls" album with many of the songs living in a sunless, underwater murk with only subtle hints of the sun in the sky above. Some of the darkest moments on the two records occur here but there are also moments of powerful beauty that may leave you gasping for air. "Dream Loss" is also more guitar-centric and less Wurlitzer driven than "Alien Observer" which also gives it more of a 'classic' GROUPER sound. The albums definitely have their own vibe but they also work quite well together and we can say that with confidence since we listened to them straight through in a row before writing this!! Graciously reissued on two CDs by slow-motion music champions, Kranky Records.

GROUPER aka Liz Harris' modern classic "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill", originally released in 2010 on Type, is now finally back in print! Before this album, GROUPER was a bit under the radar, mostly only known to the experimental scene & shoegaze obsessives but she was catapulted to a much broader audience with this amazing album. Harris' songs were always dense & murky, but on this one, there were more moments of clarity & even some straight-up acoustic, almost folky songs. We'll go out on a limb & say this is one of the best records of the 2000s & we're proud to be able to stock it again. ON KRANKY.

We've been pretty much obsessed with all things GROUPER from day one and to say that we were anticipating a new release from Ms. Harris with bated breath is an understatement to say the least. You can imagine our near death by spontaneous combustion when we found out that she was releasing two records ON THE SAME DAY. Liz Harris has graced us with a few singles and EPs since the incredible "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" and though we love pretty much everything she does, the album format is where she shines brightest. "AIA: Dream Loss" reminds us most of Harris' amazing "Cover the Windows & Walls" album with many of the songs living in a sunless, underwater murk with only subtle hints of the sun in the sky above. Some of the darkest moments on the two records occur here but there are also moments of powerful beauty that may leave you gasping for air. "Dream Loss" is also more guitar-centric and less Wurlitzer driven than "Alien Observer" which also gives it more of a 'classic' GROUPER sound. The albums definitely have their own vibe but they also work quite well together and we can say that with confidence since we listened to them straight through in a row before writing this!!

We've been pretty much obsessed with all things GROUPER from day one and to say that we were anticipating a new release from Ms. Harris with bated breath is an understatement to say the least. You can imagine our near death by spontaneous combustion when we found out that she was releasing two records ON THE SAME DAY. Liz Harris has graced us with a few singles and EPs since the incredible "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" and though we love pretty much everything she does, the album format is where she shines brightest. "AIA: Dream Loss" reminds us most of Harris' amazing "Cover the Windows & Walls" album with many of the songs living in a sunless, underwater murk with only subtle hints of the sun in the sky above. Some of the darkest moments on the two records occur here but there are also moments of powerful beauty that may leave you gasping for air. "Dream Loss" is also more guitar-centric and less Wurlitzer driven than "Alien Observer" which also gives it more of a 'classic' GROUPER sound. The albums definitely have their own vibe but they also work quite well together and we can say that with confidence since we listened to them straight through in a row before writing this!!

GROUPER aka Liz Harris' modern classic "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill", originally released in 2010 on Type, is now finally back in print! Before this album, GROUPER was a bit under the radar, mostly only known to the experimental scene & shoegaze obsessives but she was catapulted to a much broader audience with this amazing album. Harris' songs were always dense & murky, but on this one, there were more moments of clarity & even some straight-up acoustic, almost folky songs. We'll go out on a limb & say this is one of the best records of the 2000s & we're proud to be able to stock it again. ON KRANKY.

2013 release from the Portland based musician/artist Liz Harris featuring songs that were recorded at the same time as the "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" album which consequently is also being reissued on the same day by Kranky. Fans of that 'modern classic' will be excited to hear that these songs easily match the style & quality of "Dragging..." & it's kind of insane to think that Harris just had these tracks lying around for the past few years. Most of the songs are acoustic based with sparse arrangements & for GROUPER, pretty audible & beautiful singing. This reviewer already has this album on his 2013 list & we suspect that many of you will as well. AAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAZZZZZIIINNG.

In December of 2013, Kranky celebrated their 20th anniversary with a 4 day concert series in Chicago. Liz Harris headlined one of the nights at Constellation & it was one of the most quiet & fragile performances that many of those present have probably ever witnessed. The extreme quiet created was the opposite of say of SUNN O))) show but there was just as much tension. Harris has successfully captured that tension on "Ruins." The album was recorded for an artist's residency in Portugal in 2011 & most of the songs are piano & voice with barely any of GROUPER's trademark washy reverb. The album has a stark & lonely, fly-on-the-wall quality with ambient sounds of insects & rain & it's easy to imagine Harris alone in her room at night carefully crafting these songs. Harris' voice is barely above a whisper & the piano playing is a simple sort of mix of Erik Satie & P.J. Harvey's on "White Chalk". The album ends with an older track, the only real hint at her reverby past, either symbolizing Harris unwillingness to let go of that past or perhaps a statement that she is moving onto a new phase.

Liz Harris aka GROUPER has been making some of our favorite records over the past 10-15 years & her 2021 album "Shade" is among her best. After a few mostly piano-centric albums, Harris returns to guitar based tunes & these songs have an almost early 2000s indie rock sound, remind us of the great "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" & some nods at another great Portland artist Elliott Smith. No doubt this will be one of our favorite albums in 2021. As recommended as they get!

Liz Harris aka GROUPER has been making some of our favorite records over the past 10-15 years & her 2021 album "Shade" is among her best. After a few mostly piano-centric albums, Harris returns to guitar based tunes & these songs have an almost early 2000s indie rock sound, remind us of the great "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" & some nods at another great Portland artist Elliott Smith. No doubt this will be one of our favorite albums in 2021. As recommended as they get!