New Releases: The High Water Marks

Elephant 6 OG Hilarie Sidney is one of the musicians keeping the 90s indie-alt-pop E6 movement alive. As the drummer for The Apples in Stereo, she generally contributed a couple tracks to each of their albums, frequently the catchiest numbers, unadulterated bubblegum delivered with her eternally girlish charm. Her second enterprise, The High Water Marks--Sidney joined by her partner Per Ole Bratset--have now been around over 20 years, and their discography is about as deep as the Apples'.

As on prior releases, the songs on Consult The Oracle helmed by Sidney tend towards buoyant bubblegum pop bolstered by a bath of distortion, while Bratset's add some more arty, psychedelic elements that call to mind long-running E6 band Elf Power. It makes for a nice counter-balance, a mix of straightforward pop songs and slightly more skewed indie rock. This one may lack the stop-in-your tracks surefire alternative universe hit single, but it's consistent throughout and another record keeping the flame burning.

Buy it on Bandcamp.

"Postcard":

"The Works":