Music Monday

This week, we highlight the band “The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers.” Hailing from Chapel Hill, NC, the band is comprised of leader Perry Wright and producer Alex Lazara. These two draw on the collaboration of numerous friends, neighbors, and aquaintances to fill out their sound.

So far, the band has only released two discs. The first was called “Psaltrie” which Perry describes this way: “This debut album comprised of a series of songs suggested by the book of Psalms and erects a world in which anxiety and introspection look something like faith.” This album is now out of print, but the band has made it available for free download on their website (see link on right). It features subdued arrangements and loose recording styles.

Their second LP is where I joined the party. It is called “The Mother of Love Emulates the Shapes of Cynthia.” It is a concept album that features a storyline. From their website: “The sophomore effort traces one year in the life of a struggling marriage, a convenient affair and the inevitable collapse of everything that refuses to adequately consider the seasonal nature of existence as a gift.” This is the disc where the talent of the band really shines through. Perry’s vocals are reminiscent of Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) and the music mixes electronics with acoustic guitars and strings. In fact, Pitchfork reviewed this disc and said:

“…it’s hard not to imagine that Wright is the sort of restrained, concise
singer that [Conor] Oberst might one day grow into.”

That is pretty high praise, but keep in mind this disc released before Bright Eyes broke through with “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning” and “Digital Ash in a Digital Urn“. However, this does not discount the real talent that The Prayers and Tears possess.

The band is currently working on a followup to “The Mother of Love…” which has no release date yet. For now, here are two songs for you, one from each album. Also, if you like the music, the band’s official website has many free MP3s for your listening pleasure: Click Here.

The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers – Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (from Psaltrie)

The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers – The Eventual Intimate of So Much Nostalgia (from The Mother of Love Emulates the Shapes of Cynthia)

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