letting up despite great faults

Letting Up Despite Great Faults: Teenage Tide (Video)

Andy Fenstermaker
September 9, 2011February 11, 2022

For me, Letting Up Despite Great Faults has always evoked a sense of youthful bliss, carefree and unburdened by the trials of life, and elevated by the prospect of new love. These feelings are, frankly, what could only be described as beautiful. The band has returned with a new video for the song “Teenage Tide” and, like that of “Our Younger Noise”, it has a young playfulness about it. It is very present; in the moment.

Letting Up Despite Great Faults: Teenage Tide (MP3)

Andy Fenstermaker
June 21, 2011February 11, 2022

I really dug Letting Up Despite Great Faults‘ debut self-titled LP. In fact, “Our Younger Noise” was one of my favorite videos of 2009. So getting wind of a new EP in the mix was pretty exciting. “Teenage Tide” is off that EP and it finds the band picking up where their debut left off. The song maintains that perfect dream-pop sound, with consistent guitar riffs draped softly in a fuzzy reverb and fronted by airy vocals.

Andy Fenstermaker
October 28, 2010November 13, 2010

Creating a music video, in my opinion, should be about creating art. There are so many intricate elements that should go into a video that are so often left forgotten or, at least, unattended. First and foremost is the song itself — a video must compliment the art to which it is expanding from audio to video. Connecting the two is extremely important. Second is theme. The best videos have some storyline, vague or distinct. Or at least something visually interesting. Read More »25 Great Bands, 30 Great Music Videos

FensePost Podcast Series: FenseCast #3, Summer Heat Part 1

Andy Fenstermaker
July 9, 2010May 5, 2023

It’s been a few months since I threw together a podcast, so I figured it was about time for another one. Besides, I’ve been working diligently on a mix-tape for a new local pal, Brett Sandström, whom I met after purchasing a Tullycraft single on eBay – he being the seller, both of us being astonished to find other Tullycraft fans in Skagit County. What began as a modern tribute to light garage pop ultimately changed direction to hint at songs that fit a sweltering, hot summer day.

Letting Up Despite Great Faults: Our Younger Noise [Video]

Andy Fenstermaker
April 5, 2010February 11, 2022

The debut self-titled LP by Letting Up Despite Great Faults reminded me a lot of the early stuff by The… Read More »Letting Up Despite Great Faults: Our Younger Noise [Video]

FensePost Top 50: The Best Albums of 2009

Andy Fenstermaker
December 31, 2009May 12, 2023

2009 is a tough year to judge. I’ve checked out more albums this year than any year in the past. Well over 1,000. And there have been quite a few great ones as well. When this list began, it had 110 albums. I abandoned my top 33 and 1/3 for 45, and then said “screw it” and upped the number to an even 50. These are the top notch albums of the year, all worthy of praise.

Letting Up Despite Great Faults: Letting Up Despite Great Faults [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
December 2, 2009February 11, 2022

The name Letting Up Despite Great Faults stems from Blonde Redhead’s “Loved Despite Great Faults” off Melody Of Certain Damaged Lemons. They often gets comparisons to The Postal Service, but I just don’t see it. Sure, it’s electronic pop at its best (a bit of a similarity) and there are occasionally some Tamborello-esque beats, but Letting Up Despite Great Faults isn’t nearly as clean nor does it possess those cut-and-dry vocals signature to Gibbard. The primary similarity is the band’s ability to create dreamy electronic indie pop tunes with a romantic edge. It’s a similarity in theme at best.