the secret of the secret of the multiple cat

Long-neglected precursors to today's big names in indie rock

     

A retrospective of several LPs and EPs recorded on independent labels like Zero Hour from 1996-2001, The Secret of the Secret of showcases one of the most important and unknown indie rock bands of the post-Pavement period. A contemporary of Modest Mouse and close follower of Built to Spill, the Multiple Cat never gained the kind of success now bestowed upon the likes of Wolf Parade, Tapes 'n Tapes, the Unicorns, and the Shout Out Louds, mostly due to label troubles, a rotating cast of members (headed by Pat Stolley, now of the Marlboro Chorus), and perhaps a lack of interest in notoriety of any sort. Despite being recorded over a vast distance and stretch of time, this collection of songs is neatly unified, firmly rooted in the oeuvres of Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, and Sonic Youth, but confidently pushing the boundaries with inventive instrumentation, rhythms, and strong, often sensual vocals. The use of synthesizers on tracks like "A Test" are now considered staples to people like Spencer Krug, and the Multiple Cat was doing it in 1997 on what was ostensibly a garage rock album. This is a crucial album for indie aficionados wanting to piece together just how indie rock got itself into the beautifully derivative mess it's in today.