Accents’ Growth and Squalor is an album found on the Deep Elm label. That is for usually a sign of quality. I have heard many of the label’s releases and they have almost never let me down. It is the side project of TJ Foster and Ben Hemingway from post-rockers The Cast Before the Break. The first thing that strikes me is that this is not a post-rock album, it is a folk one. Most of the songs are slow and acoustic based, but that is not a bad thing. This album was recorded by a duo but there are a lot of full band songs. However, the sound is very different to what they do in The Cast.
There is a good variety among the songs and I get some hints from Dispatch and similar acts here and there throughout the album. Still, Accents manages to maintain their own identity and a personal sound which is crucial in this business. If you like most of the bands on the Deep Elm (brilliant label by the way) roster this might appeal to you. Fans of Ben Howard and Iron & Wine may also want to take notice. This is some solid indie rock that will get you through the late nights.
