Recently, after 13 years and 10 albums, one of the most unique bands to come out of the NYC’s Anti-Folk scene called it quits. I first met Dufus at WE Fest in Wilmington, NC. I think it was 2000. They traveled in a car, handpainted with all sorts of art. It was the car that first got my attention, but it was ultimately the music that kept it.
‘Eth‘ really does have the feeling of a goodbye. Still, it’s overall somber tone is at the same time somehow as defiant and ultimately uplifting as ever. The center of the music comes from the mind of Seth Faergolzia with the support by a myriad of musicians.
The songs are poignant with deceptively simple arrangements. In actuality, this is one of the more adventurous recording projects for the group. There are horns, two drummers, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, toy piano, accordion, flute, violin, a choir, and various synths and electronics accompanying Faergolzia’s instantly recognizable voice.
In his own, unique way, Faergolzia tells stories of love, loss, life, hope and struggle. Those sometimes clean, sometimes messy issues of all sorts that people face.
Even with all of that, the listener never feels overwhelmed. The production of ‘Eth’ — like past Dufus recordings — allows for complex subject matters and musical explorations to be delivered in a stark and straight forward manner.
Just listen to this track called ‘Dastard’ to see what I mean.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
For Dufus fans, ‘Eth’ is a truly moving swan song. For those new to the band’s work, it’s a lesson on how to make really good music.
At their final show on September 25, 2010, a fire alarm at Cake Shop (152 Ludlow St, NYC) caused the club to be evacuated. As the crowd waited in the street for the firemen to do their thing, Seth and company performed the apropos ‘Fire’ (‘1:3:1’ by Dufus). 
Before this mass exodus to the street, the show featured a thirty-piece band with a bunch of special guest performers including Regina Spektor, Adam Green and Jack Dishel of The Moldy Peaches, Brent Cole and Toby Goodshank. I wish I was there.
Read more about it and see some great photos at Brooklyn Vegan.
See Also:
Dufus (website)
Buy ‘Eth’ by Dufus
Dufus (amazon)
Cake Shop
Brooklyn Vegan
