LEAK: The Revisions, "Empty House" from Revised Observations (Dirtnap)

Quiet vocals, a string section and calm guitar are elements you might not expect from the former members of Portland punk bands the Clorox Girls and the Observers—but these are what make the track “Empty House” off the bands' acoustic full-length debut so memorable.

“Empty House” entices as much as it entertains: It starts with a solo, repetitive guitar supporting violin crescendos for over a minute until the vocals chime in. And once Douglas Burns starts singing, he fits comfortably within the quiet sadness of the song. Gone is the shouting that colored his time as the Observers' frontman; now, Burns' voice is soft and fragile. When he sings, “So, you gonna make it in the world alone?” he may very well be asking himself that question, wondering about the fate of his new acoustic career.

[audio:Emptyhouse.mp3]

Links:
The Revisions' MySpace page
The band's official website
Dirtnap Records

The Revisions celebrate the release of Revised Observations Friday, Oct. 12, with Austin Lucas, Deadpan Pariah and the Hermans at Slabtown. 9 pm. $6. 21+. Also Friday, Oct. 12, with Austin Lucas at Green Noise Records. 7 pm. Free. All ages. Image taken from the band's MySpace page.