Understated. Unassuming. Neither word does justice to the slow-burning might of the Radar Brothers. For eight years now they have been composing and recording beautifully melancholic songs that carry with them imperturbable poise and magisterial sadness. This May, the Radar Brothers will release their third long player And The Surrounding Mountains, and this just might be the record to melt a cynic?s heart.

The Radar Brothers are based in Los Angeles, CA and were formed by Jim Putnam. Jim had written a lot of material and the band was formed in 1994, as best as they can remember. Jim joined forces with long time associates Steve Goodfriend and Senon Williams to record, and the band was ?locked? into being with the release of their debut EP in Fingerpaint records in 1995.

The debut drew comparisons to the likes of Neil Young and the Beatles at their introspective best, and all who were lucky enough to hear it were delighted. The Radar Brothers went on to record an album from their base in and around Jim?s home studio. After the release of their eponymous debut LP, on Restless records in 1996, the Brothers set about touring and taking their sound further afield. Critical acclaim followed virtually everywhere they journeyed, and it seemed that the band might truly take off. Their label floundered however, leaving Jim and Co. seemingly back at square one.

In 1998 Jim had finished enough songs to begin recording again and felt ready to send the results around to a variety of labels. The Radar Brothers second full length, The Singing Hatchet, was released in 1999, on See-Thru Broadcasting here in the States, and Chemikal Underground in the UK and Europe. Once again, all who heard the album embraced its subtly simplistic songs, strong melodies and intimate harmonies. The Brothers spent much of 1999 and 2000 touring throughout Europe and the U.S., receiving rapturous receptions and leaving behind a wake of warm hearts and cold beds.

Since recording The Singing Hatchet, Jim has completely rebuilt his studio, renaming it Phase III. This process (as with all things Californian) took a little longer than expected. Approximately nine months in fact, resulting in their new album being written and recorded at a more relaxed pace, and coming to be called And The Surrounding Mountains. Songs emerged slowly from early studio sessions, and over the course of last summer layers of keyboards, guitars and vocals were added to the original recordings, giving the songs a fuller sound while not sacrificing the simple beauty of the original demos. With the new album now completed, the Radar Brothers are set to emerge from their L.A. homes with the aim of spreading the gospel of their sophisticated minimalism to the masses.

We at Merge are delighted to be the conduit of their message. And the Surrounding Mountains will be released in May of 2002. Expect the word to spread like wildfire. Look for the Radar Bros. on tour this summer and fall.