Hello reader,
Welcome back.
Today, we’re going to delve into the Van Pelt, succinctly summarized via a press release for the band’s newest album, Remain Obscure, which was recently released in the US via the fabulous Ernest Jenning Record Co. on Friday, September 18th, for your listening pleasure: “Formed in New York City in 1993 around singer, guitarist, and songwriter Chris Leo, the band emerged from the same fertile underground scene that produced many of the decade’s most influential post-hardcore, indie rock, and emo bands. While many of their contemporaries found wider recognition, The Van Pelt forged a different path, one defined by artistic independence, restless experimentation, and a refusal to fit neatly into any scene or trend.
Across two landmark albums, Stealing From Our Favorite Thieves (1996) and Sultans Of Sentiment (1997), The Van Pelt developed a singular language that combined intricate guitar interplay, spoken-word intensity, literary lyrics and emotional depth. Their music occupied a unique space between post-hardcore urgency, indie rock invention and the introspective sensibility that would later become associated with emo, influencing generations of musicians while remaining largely outside the spotlight.
After disbanding in 1997, the band’s reputation continued to grow. What began as a well-kept secret among underground music fans gradually became a touchstone for listeners searching beyond the obvious narratives of 1990s alternative rock. Reunions in 2009 and 2014, the release of the long-lost Imaginary Third, and a series of acclaimed live performances introduced their music to a new audience while reaffirming their enduring relevance.
In 2023, The Van Pelt returned with Artisans & Merchants, their first collection of new material in more than twenty-five years. Rather than revisiting old formulas, the album expanded the band’s sonic vocabulary while preserving the qualities that made them unique: curiosity, intelligence, vulnerability and an unwavering commitment to following their own instincts.”
Yes, Chris Leo is the brother of musician Ted Leo. Consider this a reminder to explore Ted’s great discography if you are unfamiliar after exploring the Van Pelt’s earlier discography. Their debut album features bandmember at the time, the talented Toko Yasuda (bass, backing vocals), who later played briefly with Blonde Redhead, NYC band Enon, with partner Chris Leo in The Lapse, as well as serving as a backing bandmember in Cate Le Bon’s and St. Vincent’s bands in more recent times.
Since late 1996, the Van Pelt lineup has consisted of Chris Leo on vocals and guitar, Brian Maryansky on guitar, Sean Greene on bass guitar, and Neil O’Brien on drums.
Giving credit where it’s due. The Remain Obscure album credits:
- Recorded and mixed in 2024 and 2025 with Adam Vaccarelli at Retromedia
- Additional recording with Justin Pizzoferrato at Sonelab
- Backing vocals by Sarah Schimeneck
- Tracked with Jeff Zeigler at Uniform Recording
- Pedal Steel on “Marianne” by Liam Bornovski
- Piano on “Marianne” and “Voralberg” by Alicia Testa
- Sax synth on “City of Dead Ends” by MJ Hancock
- Cover art by Neil O’Brien
- Art direction and design by Glenn Maryansky
Without further ado, here’s some hype for both your ears and eyes via the Van Pelt YouTube channel:
The video is full of live performance and other imagery mixed with wording in the video for the fantastic opening song “Kris Is Riding Horses In Ojai”:
(All credits and rights to the Van Pelt)
The creative, immersive, and colorful video for the song “Linens Should Be Freshly Pressed”:
(All credits and rights to the Van Pelt)
The gorgeous stock footage of the Alps within the video for the song, “A Voralberg of the Mind”. The video was a collab between the Van Pelt and the three labels. The album Remain Obscure is out on La Tempesta (Italy), Wrong Speed Records (UK/EU), and Ernest Jenning Record Co (US):
(All credits and rights to the Van Pelt)
Overall, on Remain Obscure, the Van Pelt prove they can still craft a solid album that entertains listeners from start to finish. Many of the songs have a late-80s, early-90s aura and sound elements, and those facts shouldn’t be new to fans, old and new, of a band formed in 1993. The result is a modern-day recording that incorporates elements of the past without making a record that ignores the present day. The band’s sound has evolved, and the Van Pelt has managed to retain elements of their sound that they like, coupled with elements that the fans like about the band as well. Kudos. It works.
Remain Obscure kicks off with the incredible “Kris Is Riding Horses in Ojai,” and I have no notes, besides more of this in the future, please. The melodic shift, the vocals, and instrumentation are fantastic. The second song, “Linens Should Be Freshly Pressed,” is anchored by a synth melody that shimmers at times, a deep bass groove, some pounding drums, and clapping sound beats. I think the even shimmier, more dreamy, spacey, and adventurous melody of “Arid As The Aral” showcases the band in a looser form while still being steered by Leo’s spoken-word delivery. Leo has a good, recognizable voice that brought back memories of listening to King Missile albums. Kudos to anyone who gets you into them. I also really enjoyed Sarah Schimeneck’s backing vocals. That more feminine vocal range paired well and brought a different feel to the songs in a good way. “Arid As The Aral” is the best example of that.
“City of Dead Ends” grounds the band in a more rock melody sound. Kudos to Liam Bornovski on a perfectly played and arranged pedal steel on “Rally Song For Marianne”. When the melody slows down, the result is a gorgeous-sounding song. Kudos for including piano as well. I think of Camper Van Beethoven due to the melody and how Leo sings rather than some of the more spoken-word deliveries of songs past. More of this type of song as well!
We’re at the midway point of Remain Obscure, though while listening I don’t think you’ll be looking at a clock. You’ll be engrossed in listening, captivated by the sounds. The thumping drums open “Frank’s Jukebox,” paired at times with intensely delivered spoken-word lyrics from Leo about a 90s adventure. The 90s vibe and style continue with the next song, “Flaws of Attraction,” which features a great choral-sounding chant and a more upbeat melody that marches forward due to its musicianship and songcraft choices. Leo’s delivery remains the same. The following song, “A Voralberg of the Mind,” is a banger that is led by its bass groove and guitar ping with some lovely piano from Alicia Testa as well.
Remain Obscure begins its journey towards the end with the ninth song, “Martha Graham & The Moon,” in which jangled guitar is paired well with steady drums and a more marching melody that is more upbeat than any previous songs on the album, even though its lyrics may not be as positive. “Lawrence, KS” to me sounds like an impromptu recording in a house, a band sitting at a table playing. I think it’s the baby noises and the sound quality that make me feel that way. The album’s closer is “Death By A Solid Argument,” and it incorporates previously used sounds and elements and does well bringing the album to an end, slowly lowering the BPM and sound intensity, as it eventually fades out.
All that being said, Remain Obscure gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It is a very good album with a lot to like about it, from the musicianship to songcraft to the listening experience. I think it fits well within the 4 Scum Drop range, which puts it in the 72nd-83rd percentile in my mind, relative to all new albums this year. Read more about our not complicated rating system here. Add this album to your collection in the formats of your choice. You know me, I will recommend picking up the vinyl version. Play it on your turntable and thank me later.
I’ll always advocate taking the time to listen to every album in its entirety. Listening to Remain Obscure will take a mere 40 minutes from start to finish, and just 80 minutes if you listen twice back-to-back. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without others’ influence or bias. After several listens, I found the songs highlighted in green below to be my favorites on this album.
The tracklist for Remain Obscure (song length)
- Kris Is Riding Horses in Ojai (3:54)
- Linens Should Be Freshly Pressed (4:21)
- Arid As The Aral (4:08)
- City of Dead Ends (3:55)
- Rally Song For Marianne (4:04)
- Frank’s Jukebox (3:26)
- Flaws of Attraction (3:00)
- A Voralberg of the Mind (3:51)
- Martha Graham & The Moon (4:02)
- Lawrence, KS (1:27)
- Death By A Solid Argument (3:41)
Total runtime: 39:49
For more on the band, including listening to their music, check out their Linktree, Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. For their socials, be sure to check out the band’s Instagram and Facebook.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music. Want to discover more? Continue to explore SWT.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
