Product Description Helvetia, an independent and experimental alternative music group from Seattle, Washington, was created by Jason Albertini after the dissolution of the band Duster (in which he played drums). Helvetia's first record, "The Clever North Wind" (2006), was released on The Static Cult Label and distributed by Up Records. Their first national exposure was achieved by touring with Built To Spill. Helvetia is produced/performed by Jason Albertini and sustained by a rotating live line-up, which has included Dove Amber, Jim Roth and Scott Plouf. Their third release, "Headless Machine of the Heart" (2008) was recorded entirely on a 4-track tape machine. Helvetia continues to release music through The Static Cult Label (which is helmed by Duster-mate Clay Parton). The name Helvetia is the female personification of Switzerland, the childhood home of Jason Albertini. Review When listening to Leading Towards An End (Side 1), the first track of Helvetia s latest release, Junk Shop, one thought came to mind: this sounds like Built to Spill. So it was of little surprise to find out that in fact the drummer of Boise s finest indie rock outfit, Scott Plouf, played a part in the creation of what is Helvetia s fourth and most focused release on the Static Cult Label. At its center Helvetia is, essentially, a one-man band. Insomuch that attempting to give Helvetia founder Jason Albertini a title like vocalist, guitarist, composer, producer, etc., borders on the absurd; this, because, Albertini is Helvetia. That said, he certain found the right components to make Junk Shop Helvetia s best release to date. Like any well-tuned vehicle, Junk Shop, perfects its core (wailing guitars and rhythmic drums) before adding the secondary elements (otherworldly organs and soothing vocals) that enhance the existential experience. That said Junk Shop is so much more than gentle melodies swaying in an autumn breeze. All the Money is Gone, for example, emphasizes a funk base, while the melodic, wailing guitars and the confusing and crackling organ are added as accompanying instruments, almost as if adlibbed at the last second. Solaris also breaks the mold, taking on a grunge-like rhythm at its core before branching out into dreamland; like something solo artist Kurt Cobain would have cut had he made it this far. And in Grey Ghost Rides Again, you re pretty much caught waiting for Neil Young s trademark whiny voice to sing out about rockin in the free world. However, what most separates Junk Shop from Helvetia s past releases and from bands of the same ilk, is its aforementioned focus on the music. Often musicians let their egos get the best of them and they begin to believe that their words are more important than the music. In Junk Shop Albertini lets the music do the talking, almost literally in some instances. And, why not? After all, he is Helvetia. --Indie Rock Review
G**E
Helvetia's best...
The diversity of tone, atmosphere and emotion from each song to the next is what keeps me coming back to Helvetia records. This album may be Jason Albertini's finest. From his work in Duster, he knows how to eek out the slightest nuances from his instruments (all of which, apparently, he plays himself on Helvetia's studio releases) to give audiophiles like us many, many hours of listening pleasure. You know - when you put a record on for the tenth, twentieth, hundredth time and still notice something you hadn't heard before? This is one of those records. There's so much to hear, yet there's nothing extra, nothing that should have been left out. It's experimental yet familiar at the same time. As Albertini says here (if I hear it correctly), "This trip is not promoted." This is truly original stuff that is void of any mainstream influence. It feels like music made for music's sake. It's simply the product of a musically inquisitive individual, and it's what you've been waiting for."This Circle Dissolves Humans" is perhaps my favorite track on JUNK SHOP, slowly building on simple guitar melodies before soaring into a high-fretted frenzy and finishing with a perfect reference to the beginning melody. "Find Your Feet" is a particular delight, falling into a catchy, repetitive and slow-rising groove after a herky-jerky first 30 seconds. "The Sandbags" rolls forward with Albertini's fantastically deadpan vocals, wrapping up with some great slide guitar work. "Down In That Hollow" is a strangely lilting and gorgeous strum-fest. "Portugal" has an almost jazz feel to it, and with organ, harmonizing vocals and improv-sounding snippets of guitar may be the most sonically adventurous song on here. The aptly named "Solaris" explodes at the end in a supernova of guitars, cymbals and even horns (!).Pick it up and throw it on, my friends.
J**T
ultimate Helvetia
This is the finest Helvetia album to date! Clever, catchy, sophisticated.. It is in constant rotation since I got my hands on a copy. Check out Solaris, This Circle Dissolves Humans, Grey Ghost Rides Again, Down in that Hollow, Junk Shop. In actuality every track is good. A must.
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