Melodic and trippy

The Frost Heaves and Hales band was in the middle of recording its latest album, “Repointing the Steeple,” when it occurred to the group’s members that the new songs they were working on paired quite nicely with the songs of an EP they released last year called “Uncluttering the Gutterspouts.” They decided that it made sense to make that EP part of the new release, and as if it were a vinyl LP, they have divided “Repointing the Steeple” in two sides — side one is the “Repointing” side and side two is the “Uncluttering” side.

The 13 tracks encompass everything from dream-pop to psychedelic rock to country and post-punk. The Frost Heaves and Hales has always had an adventurous approach to making music, both challenging and delighting the listener —this latest disc is no exception.

The group will celebrate the release of “Repointing the Steeple” with a special show on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 12 Federal St. (located between Chet’s Barber Shop and Federal Street Books) beginning at 6 p.m.

Daniel Hales, a Greenfield resident, writes all the lyrics and also provides vocals, guitar, ukulele and percussion for the band. James Lowe, also of Greenfield, plays bass. They are joined by a revolving cast of guest musicians.

Hales and Lowe, who have been working together for quite some time, produced the album.

“Repointing the Steeple” opens up with the ringing of a church bell that leads into the title track, a song Hales has called a love letter in part to Franklin County. References to The Rendezvous and even The Greenfield Recorder pop up in this dreamy tune that is anchored by Lowe’s bass and some nice piano work from Konstantinos Thermasonis.

Toward the end of the song, Hales sings the line, “Cause our alarm makes sure we don’t sleep in.” The theme of sleep and that odd state that falls somewhere between waking and dreaming comes up in two other songs that appear on side one. There’s “Oversleep,” a catchy, upbeat love song that’s led by a steady drumbeat, then on the flip side there is the heavy guitar-driven “Undersleep.” Singing in a muted voice that sounds far away, Hales sings, “Under your sleep/There’s a voice that speaks/Under sleep, buried deep/Under your lies/Lies a truth that sighs/Under sleep, buried deep.”

An accomplished poet, Hales chooses his words carefully and finds inspiration for his lyrics everywhere, even writing from the perspective of a dog on “Mutt’s Lament.” He also inhabits the voice of an individual stuck in a pillory on “All My Friends are Pillory Singers.”

Clocking in at over seven minutes, Hales said the title of that song was inspired by “All My Friends Are Funeral Singers,” a song by the Chicago-based band Califone. In this beautiful, languid song, the narrator finds some light in his dark situation by getting a chance to “breathe in some fresh air” and insisting that “I sing in the stocks/It’s better than whimpering.” Hales repetitive “la-la-las” and the sound of chirping birds further add to the juxtaposition of beauty and sadness in this song.

It is one of the standout tracks on the disc.

As the song ends, the church bell rings again, segueing into the six tracks from the “Uncluttering” side of the album, which features more guest players than the first side. Guitarist Joe Boyle lends a hand on the acoustic “The Cactus in a Fishbowl Blues,” a love song with some rather zany lyrics. Sue Burkhart plays slide guitar on “Future Artifact,” a punky song that demands that you turn up the volume. In addition, there’s “The Mountains Grow Unnoticed,” an Emily Dickinson poem set to music.

The disc closes with “Uncluttering,” a song that on the surface is about cleaning up the yard but is actually about freeing one’s mind, much in the way our “Pillory” singer was trying to do. It’s a melodic and trippy song that’s embellished with all kinds of weird effects.

This is the kind of disc that bears repeated listening, as you’ll discover something new each time — be it a turn of a phrase, crickets chirping in the background and so much more — it is amazing how Frost Heaves and Hales draws from so many varied influences yet manage to create a cohesive and affecting album.

Come check out the CD Release show, which is actually much more than a CD release show. It’s also a celebration of the reopening of Federal Street Books, which has been renovated by new owners Hillary Hoffman and Neil Serven. In addition, this show will honor the 50th anniversary of the pioneering band The Velvet Underground’s self-titled album. Being that it is Daniel Hales favorite album by his favorite band, after the Frost Heaves set, there will be a Velvet Underground sing-along. Don’t worry if you don’t know the words because lyrics will be provided.

And if all those are not enough reasons to attend this show, it’s also Daniel Hales birthday — one of those decade birthdays that come along every 10 years.

The show is free but donations will be accepted to cover the cost of renting the room.

This post originally appeared in the Greenfield Recorder.