Fans of ornate pop and America’s pastime have reason to celebrate today. Brooklyn’s Pegg, the highly collaborative project of Xander Duell, has teamed up with the legendary Van Dyke Parks for their brief but densely-packed three-song suite, Presque Tout: Variations no. 435-514 “Baseball Season,” released via IS NOT MUSIC (release details below). Their lead single, No Dice, is out today.
Described as a “fleet and festive springtime fantasia,” No Dice is a piece of gorgeous Gershwinian slapstick. The track, accompanied by a baseball-themed visualizer, moves with a light viscosity, quick on its feet like a dash to home plate. While the song first appeared on Pegg’s Bartees Strange-produced wide-ranging debut, this version is a complete reimagining. The original’s experimental rock and electronic-pop foundation has been erased in favour of Parks’ stunning, post-baroque string arrangements.
Says Pegg: “Once, ‘No Dice’ was half full rock band and half electronics—but that foundation’s been erased in favor of Van Dyke’s beautiful string arrangements. Lyrically, its setting is still a Jewish wedding, the irresponsible-but-innocent kids getting hitched but it’s nearly derailed. Drawing largely on my own wedding but without any derailment (or cabana).”
Presque Tout is available now as a limited edition 500-piece puzzle accompanied by downloads of the project. A CD version follows on July 11, with the full digital release scheduled for September 19. This collaboration marks a dazzling convergence of a rising indie artist and a true American music master.
Pre-Order/Save: https://ffm.to/PresqueTout