Just recently, we had the fine gentlemen of Catfish Haven back into our studio for an encore session, in which they did a Bee Gees cover, a Rolling Stones cover and two tornadic versions of songs from Tell Me. Last weekend, we had Paleo — Mr. Underrated himself — in for a second session, both of which will be posted the week you’re sucking on candy hearts that taste slightly better than chalk that’s been cane sugared and frucosed up. They both lost to Aaron Deer, however, in their ability to get back here quick enough. Deer, who also plays bass in the third ever band to kindly get this party started, was out with his other group, The Horns of Happiness, hanging with two different bandmates much easier on the eyes than his Shapes doggs. We were happy they could pay us a visit and here’s why (this is where a Merlin-type of character creates a smoky diversion, a little thunder and the evidence is presented as if magically): They were unquestionably the most astounding in what they did live. There was almost no resemblance to the recorded material found on the group’s only recording, A Sea As A Shore, which was mostly the solo product of Deer. The album, more of a sedate affair that shows flashes of greatness, but the stuff done in our room is dancing on the head of greatness, soft-shoeing through the hair of it. The songs that are found below show no signs of force, but are arbitrary and beguiling, like a bird trapped indoors looking for an open window or a door ajar. Time passes quickly in these songs of absolute quirk and then you go back, remarking as a child who has just been on a thrill ride for the first time does — “Again, again, again.” There’s more to be heard and it all deserves to be heard countless times for full effect. The transformation that the song “The Return” — one of the gnarliest songs you’ll find on this entire sight, I promise you — took from record to revision and restructure is significant and staggering. Somewhere along the line, between when Deer took the song to drummer Shelley Harrison and bassist Elaina Morgan (the above-mentioned, easier on the eyes 2/3rds) and when they showed off its facelift, it discovered unrecognized new tone and took to becoming twice what it used to be. They’ve found a way to bring out the best in their songs, just as Craig Ehlo and Mark Kerr brought out the best in 90s Michael Jordan. They’re the men who sold all those shoes. Shit. — Sean Moeller

First song
The Untruth of Summoners (Horns of Happiness) [2.47MB] [1181 downloads]


— unreleased
Said Aaron Deer, “The title kind of says what we were thinking with the theme of this song. Those that come to you in tough times should, typically, not be trusted as much as is commonly done. There can be a great desire to be lured off when you feel like you need change in your life, but you must be wary of those that have easy answers. Also, supposedly an “untruth” is the name for a group of summoners.

This song sounds like a threat and it sounds as if the threat has no expiration date. Every hour, every hour. Right now, this line reminds me of sleep deprivation and breast-feeding.

Second song
Coal-Wasted Avalanche (Horns of Happiness) [2.79MB] [1110 downloads]


— original version appears on Would I Find Your Psychic Guideline?
Said Aaron Deer, “The lyrics to this song come from a very desolate dream I had a while back. You can be very alone even when you are being crushed by the weight of things crashing down on you. So, I guess this one is the most uplifting. Also, it comes off our EP Would I Find Your Psychic Guideline. Once again, a great vocal performance by Shelley and Elaina
really brings the end home. As it should, I suppose.

Or is this the real threat? Oh, they are haunting little ghost ships these Horns of Happiness. Could be a reference to getting comfortable before sleeping later in the song.

Third song
The Return (Horns of Happiness) [2.27MB] [1114 downloads]


— original version appears on A Sea As A Shore
Said Aaron Deer, “An old song off A Sea As A Shore, this song is a good example of our reworking of the older tunes. We had been doing this one to add a slower moment into our set and then destroy it. This song will probubly never appear in our set again, so I’m glad it’s captured here. Also, it features a great vocal performance by Shelley and Elaina.

If you were to crushingly only have enough gigabytes for one song today, make it this one. Maybe the most appropriately apt song for The Decembrists’ The Crane Wife, not found on The Crane Wife. What and outro.

Fourth song
New Astrals (Horns of Happiness) [2.91MB] [1084 downloads]


— unreleased
Said Aaron Deer, “This song is one of the first we came up with as a three-piece. It’s about laying a new path for yourself. The original title of this song was “The Astral Pen of Patience Worth”. This will be on our upcoming full length.

What an intro. Wait ‘til it goes on. It gets better. And then better with a menagerie of yelping as if from a pack of carnal pooches.