Cave Syndrome is the first LP by Seattle based Transient Songs (John Frum).  Before departing to Seattle,  Frum spent his formative years playing in a slew of obscure and somewhat known Texas bands from fronting 90’s North Texas cult band Hasslehorse to a stint behind the drums for Dallas punkers Hagfish (whose members went on to play with radio heroes Rise Against and Texas icons the Toadies).  After arriving in Seattle and meeting Lawrence transplant bassist and multi instrumentalist Andy Gassaway (from Lawrence critical favorites The Pomonas), and discovering they both shared an affinity for 70’s psychedelic rock, Transient Songs released their first EP: the delicate yet feedback laden Plantation to Your Youth in 2008 to acclaimed reviews that compared the EP’s vibe to that of Pink Floyd with the density and disorienting fuzz of Jesus and The Mary Chain.  Although traces of the garage psychedelia that litter the EP exist on the new release, Cave Syndrome is a grander musical departure.   Those who dig Mercury Rev, The Byrds, Galaxy 500, modern era Church, and the distinctive guitar work that harkens elements of The Chameleons and Galaxie 500 coupled with the lyrical desolation of Scott Walker may find vibes and songwriting on Cave Syndrome to their liking.  Comparisons aside, Cave Syndrome is an album that transcends specific genres and dwells comfortably in its own ethereality.

As the first songs for Cave Syndrome were being written and recorded Frum shattered his right humerus bone in an accident and brought the recording process to a grinding halt for five painful months.  The isolated winter of the Northwest and a series of tragic personal and difficult psychological events slowed the process even more.  As the bone healed and winter wore on, Frum continued writing and recording, bringing in other musicians as needed.  In addition to judiciously culling the best writing from the time period, the richly textured and occasionally sparse arrangements also benefit from lush adornments of cello and violin throughout the album. 

   

Cave Syndrome will be released on May 25th, 2010.

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On the island of Tanna in the South Pacific, religious sects known as cargo cults faithfully await the day when John Frum, their savior-figure, arrives on their shores to shower them with goods such as outboard boat motors and soft drinks. Since the 1930's, generations of cargo cult members have gathered to celebrate annually on February 15 to see if Frumu sually depicted as an American World War II serviceman makes good on his promise of delivering immense material wealth.

If this savior has manifested himself in John Frum of Seattle, Washington, the people of Tanna could be in for a long wait. Rather than preparing for any long journeys south, John Frum has spent the last several months with multi instrumentalist Jimmy Andrews recordingPlantation To Your Youth under the name Transient Songs.

Frum's 5 song basement-bred odes to burn-outs, ghost hunting strippers, regret, loneliness, southern California debauchery, New Orleans, and sleeping pill-induced derangement take the listener on a smoky, psychedelic odyssey through a dark orange fog bank best navigated in a seated position with plenty of beer. The recordings cinematic torrent of infinite guitar-chime and undercurrents of spacey, faraway feedback is an experience that reveals unnoticed nuances with every listen.  Plantation To Your Youth won't power boats in Tanna. It won't make them rich. But one thing it might do for them and everyone else who gives this a listen is provide an exquisite way to pass the time while waiting to hit the transcendental jackpot.  - Teddy Brucker