{"title":"Archers of Loaf","description":"\u003cp\u003eSinger\/guitarist Eric Bachmann, guitarist Eric Johnson, bassist Matt Gentling, and drummer Mark Price formed \u003cstrong\u003eArchers of Loaf\u003c\/strong\u003e in Chapel Hill, NC, in 1991. \u003ci\u003eIcky Mettle\u003c\/i\u003e was the first of four studio albums for the band that seemed to personify what SPIN magazine deemed “a tremendously optimistic time in underground music, that 15-minute period in the early 1990s when it looked like indie rock really might take over the world.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe band never officially broke up. Eric Bachmann had another musical project he was working on (Crooked Fingers), and the grind of the traditional album cycle and touring started to weigh on the Archers’ desire to continue making music together. After a multi-year hiatus, Archers of Loaf returned with new music in 2020.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-icky-mettle-remastered","title":"Archers of Loaf - Icky Mettle (Remastered)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe acclaimed 1993 debut album from \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/archers-of-loaf\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArchers of Loaf\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, reissued by Merge in 2011. Remastered by Bob Weston and featuring new liner notes by Robert Christgau, \u003ci\u003eIcky Mettle\u003c\/i\u003e comes with bonus material (packaged as a second disc with CD, digitally with the LP) including the entire \u003ci\u003eArchers of Loaf vs. The Greatest of All Time\u003c\/i\u003e EP as well as singles and b-sides from the \u003ci\u003eIcky Mettle\u003c\/i\u003e era.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":52739165028663,"sku":"MRG415LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739165061431,"sku":"MRG415digital","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/45d6368bed3d3f210e81dac8d7ea76557f5f8325_d781ff0950e32a9b046f12740047251b3648b230_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785380225"},{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-vee-vee-remastered","title":"Archers of Loaf - Vee Vee (Remastered)","description":"\u003cp\u003eMerge re-issued \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/archers-of-loaf\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArchers of Loaf’s\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e sophomore release \u003ci\u003eVee Vee\u003c\/i\u003e in early 2012 on dbl-CD, limited LP, and digital download.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRe-mastered by Bob Weston and featuring new liner notes by Magnet Magazine editor Eric Miller, \u003ci\u003eVee Vee\u003c\/i\u003e includes sixteen bonus tracks and new cover art re-imagined by graphic artist Jay Ryan. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first full-length produced by Bob Weston, \u003ci\u003eVee Vee\u003c\/i\u003e was a slight diversion from the previous bombastic noisepop that characterized the band's previous work, and proved that the band were not just a flash in the pan. The album became the band's best selling album to date and placed the band on the covers of most fanzines and at the top of college radio charts across the country. \"Harnessed in Slums\" and \"Greatest of All Time\" became anthems of the underground, and led to successful tours with the Flaming Lips and Weezer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739179184439,"sku":"MRG425LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-CD","offer_id":52739179151671,"sku":"MRG425CD","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739179118903,"sku":"MRG425DA","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/b3a1a961c53f781795a16f3e13bd1e0e5defa876_8d47d1c33dc5683bf62295e0b15853f8556701f1_medium_jpg_2160b58b-a4da-47c0-a5d5-9fcd05af8c3d.jpg?v=1789600156"},{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-all-the-nations-airports-remastered","title":"Archers of Loaf - All the Nations Airports (Remastered)","description":"\u003cp\u003eWith \u003cem\u003eAll the Nations Airports\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eArchers of Loaf\u003c\/strong\u003e did not compromise its efforts to push itself in new directions. The band delivered an album that included the straightforward indie-rock songs that had made them famous, interspersed with instrumental tracks, layered tape loops, and even a solo piano song. Although the songs’ structures became much more complex and provided a wide range of color and emotion, none of the tracks seemed out of place on the album.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Stephen Thompson’s liner notes for the \u003cem\u003eAirports\u003c\/em\u003e reissue, he says, “It’s music that exists because it must, with all the bile, beauty, and bluster of youth and all the disaffected paranoia of a perpetually worried mind. The album might not have fulfilled Archers of Loaf’s commercial potential at the time, but that makes an awful lot of sense. The band tended to craft its greatest art when it saw fit to scribble in the margins.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll the Nations Airports\u003c\/em\u003e is reissued on DBL-CD, Clear Vinyl LP, and digital download with new, re-imagined art by Ian Dingman.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739184034103,"sku":"MRG435LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739183968567,"sku":"MRG435DA","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/5f38adecf78ef27694f713dcb80e9f720ad7c5d3_09b5a4680be5d6df3c18ea15dce90ab1470cb54d_medium_jpg_54469f98-832f-477f-949b-be5df0f3b294.jpg?v=1789600153"},{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-white-trash-heroes-remastered","title":"Archers of Loaf - White Trash Heroes (Remastered)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArchers of Loaf\u003c\/strong\u003e almost called it quits after \u003ca href=\"\/products\/archers-of-loaf-all-the-nations-airports-remastered\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAll the Nations Airports\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e due to the strain of touring and the rut of the album cycle (i.e., make record, make video, do interviews, tour, tour, tour; repeat) but decided they would make one more album and see how they felt after that process. They again enlisted the help of Brian Paulson to record the album that became \u003ci\u003eWhite Trash Heroes\u003c\/i\u003e. On this album, the band added keyboards to several songs, as well as vocoder, and debuted the lead vocals of Matt Gentling on \"I.N.S.\" The track \"Banging on a Dead Drum\" found all the members swapping instruments and some of the worst cowbell ever attempted.The band pulled out all the stops to keep its members engaged, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough and the band decided to make the fall tour of 1998 its final outing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the liner notes for Merge’s reissue of the Archers’ final album, Josh Modell says, “In hindsight, it’s easy to read \u003ci\u003eWhite Trash Heroes \u003c\/i\u003eas both the stormy end to a legendary band and as the beginning of something else: Bachmann’s next project, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/crooked-fingers\"\u003eCrooked Fingers\u003c\/a\u003e. Hints of what came two years later abound here, particularly on the keyboard undercarriage and restrained energy of ‘Dead Red Eyes’ and the epic, sequencer-assisted title track. That eight-minute song feels like a transitional sigh, and an acknowledgement that a certain period—let’s call it ‘indie-rock’s golden age,’ because that might drive the Archers nuts—had passed. To paraphrase: They were out of luck, because nobody gave a fuck.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhite Trash Heroes \u003c\/i\u003eis available on 2-CD and white vinyl with new, re-imagined art by Casey Burns.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739184165175,"sku":"MRG445LP","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739184066871,"sku":"MRG445digital","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/add71d0d452112846bfc784f5eef566de4a669ad_00e0453594781ccb5a6cab07a0c2d29673136d16_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1789600150"},{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-talking-over-talk-b-w-cruel-reminder","title":"Archers of Loaf - \"Talking Over Talk\" b\/w \"Cruel Reminder\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhile this 7-inch is now out of stock, previously released singles \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/smarturl.it\/RaleighDays\"\u003e“Raleigh Days”\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/smarturl.it\/StreetFightingMan\"\u003e“Street Fighting Man”\u003c\/a\u003e can still be found on our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/warehouse-finds\"\u003eWarehouse Finds Page\u003c\/a\u003e! Few copies remain!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile you’re here, be sure to check out our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/archers-of-loaf-archers-of-loaf-t-shirt\"\u003eArchers of Loaf t-shirt\u003c\/a\u003e, a Merge store exclusive printed up to celebrate the first batch of new music from The Loaf in 20 years!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Talking Over Talk” b\/w “Cruel Reminder” can also be found at your favorite local, \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.recordstoreday.com\/Stores\"\u003eindependent record store\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align:center;\"\u003e+++\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith brutal honesty, The Loaf’s Eric Bachmann reports on their newest single:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eOf all the songs Archers of Loaf have written and recorded over the last 28 years, “Talking Over Talk” ranks 26th (out of around 75, give or take a few) in overall relative quality. It’s no rock epic like “Wrong” or “Harnessed in Slums,” but it’s no snooze fest like “After the Last Laugh” or “Death in the Park,” either. If you’re a fan already, you’ll probably allow it into the lexicon with mild enthusiasm. If you’re new to the Archers, however, you probably won’t make it through the first minute or so, which is understandable because there are so many other sounds to enjoy during your short time here.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e“Cruel Reminder,” the B-side, comes in at a modest yet impressive 25th place—barely edging out “Talking Over Talk” for the victory. I’d be lying if I told you that applying a “B-side” status to “Cruel Reminder” didn’t result in some pretty awkward conversations. Not to point fingers or place blame, but a lot of internal politics and backstabbing dictate what receives A status or B status in this world. A shame, I think. Especially when you consider that the majority of our songs haven’t received any status at all.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739227844919,"sku":"MRG725digital","price":1.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/99f45b6c893817e0d00ee40051b9e783143cd504_9d676b03823e3d85c5dfd6da176c9cd722821561_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785381585"},{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-archers-of-loaf-t-shirt","title":"Archers of Loaf - Archers of Loaf T-shirt","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis vibrant \u003cstrong\u003eArchers of Loaf \u003c\/strong\u003et-shirt heralds the band’s long-awaited return with the release of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/smarturl.it\/RaleighDays\"\u003e“Raleigh Days,”\u003c\/a\u003e their first new music in over 20 years! Two colors printed on a 100% cotton, gold unisex tee.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSorry, but we cannot accept returns or exchanges on clothing items.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":52739234660663,"sku":"MRG724-TS-S","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":52739234627895,"sku":"MRG724-TS-M","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":52739234595127,"sku":"MRG724-TS-L","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XL","offer_id":52739234693431,"sku":"MRG724-TS-XL","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XXL","offer_id":52739234758967,"sku":"MRG724-TS-XXL","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/fcc39aba356a867462611f6cc4e36d8c82749f5d_344eb4767c37dc18ace59701fda45924a0d9e36e_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785381800"},{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-raleigh-days-b-w-street-fighting-man","title":"Archers of Loaf - \"Raleigh Days\" b\/w \"Street Fighting Man\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:transparent;color:#000000;\"\u003eThe first new original song by the band in over 20 years, plus a searing cover of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:transparent;color:#000000;\"\u003eRolling Stones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"background-color:transparent;color:#000000;\"\u003e’ “Street Fighting Man.” Cover art designed by Jay Ryan. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739235742007,"sku":"MRG724digital-1","price":1.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/f41da8c2fb3e68f3b9d4eec075810477c1b8f03a_9e3fb7b45e9484e460d900b2fe37443aa432852d_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785381838"},{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-reason-in-decline","title":"Archers of Loaf - Reason in Decline","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eReason in Decline\u003c\/i\u003e, Archers of Loaf’s first studio album since the 1998 release of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/archers-of-loaf-white-trash-heroes-remastered\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhite Trash Heroes\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, is no nostalgic, low-impact reboot. When they emerged from North Carolina’s ’90s indie-punk incubator, the Archers’ hurtling, sly, gloriously dissonant roar was a mythologized touchstone of slacker-era refusal. But this new LP is an entirely different noise. In fact, it’s a startling revelation. Guitarists Eric Bachmann and Eric Johnson, once headstrong smartasses inciting a series of artful pileups on the band’s four studio albums and EP, are now a fluidly complementary, sonically advanced unit. Notably, Johnson’s signature trebly lines peal clearly above the din instead of struggling to be heard. Today, singer-songwriter Bachmann’s lyrics balance righteous wrath with a complex tangle of adult perspective. He still spits bile, but it’s less likely to concern scene politics, music trends, or shady record labels thwarting the dreams of a young rock band. Bachmann puts it bluntly: “What I really think about going back to the Archers and doing a new record is that the three other members of this band are awesome. It’s not about responding to the past or whatever our bullshit legacy is. I just wanted to work with these guys because I knew the chemistry we had and that we still have. I knew that was rare.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Peak Vinyl (White w\/ Red \u0026 Purple Swirl)","offer_id":52739325722935,"sku":"MRG795lp-C1","price":23.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP (Black)","offer_id":52739325755703,"sku":"MRG795LP","price":22.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":52739325788471,"sku":"MRG795CD","price":13.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Download","offer_id":52739325821239,"sku":"MRG795digital","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/f3c73dcfa586ec1ddfafbb9a946f21083050db3d_1593abc7bb9e71ede98c6279bb4c932c382b70af_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785382305"},{"product_id":"archers-of-loaf-reason-in-decline-t-shirt","title":"Archers of Loaf - Reason in Decline T-shirt","description":"\u003cp\u003eCreated to celebrate 2022's \u003ci\u003eReason in Decline\u003c\/i\u003e, the Archers' first new studio album in 24 years! 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Made in USA.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"XS","offer_id":52739326148919,"sku":"MRG795-TS-XS","price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Small","offer_id":52739326181687,"sku":"MRG795-TS-S","price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/08fb8909535a33e2ac1908f3103cfe46cfdcb364_11851d4fa467c9ad0b7c19b47c0a60033a703aea_medium_jpg.jpg?v=1785382311"},{"product_id":"reason-in-decline-album-t-shirt-bundle","title":"Archers of Loaf - Reason in Decline Album + T-shirt Bundle","description":"","brand":"merge records","offers":[{"title":"Peak Vinyl (White w\/ Red \u0026 Purple Swirl) \/ XS","offer_id":52826126745911,"sku":null,"price":45.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Peak Vinyl (White w\/ Red \u0026 Purple Swirl) \/ Small","offer_id":52826126778679,"sku":null,"price":45.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Peak Vinyl (White w\/ Red \u0026 Purple Swirl) \/ Medium","offer_id":52826126811447,"sku":null,"price":45.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Peak Vinyl (White w\/ Red \u0026 Purple Swirl) \/ Large","offer_id":52826126844215,"sku":null,"price":45.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Peak Vinyl (White w\/ Red \u0026 Purple Swirl) \/ XL","offer_id":52826126876983,"sku":null,"price":45.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Peak Vinyl (White w\/ Red \u0026 Purple Swirl) \/ XXL","offer_id":52826126909751,"sku":null,"price":45.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP (Black) \/ XS","offer_id":52826126942519,"sku":null,"price":44.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP (Black) \/ Small","offer_id":52826126975287,"sku":null,"price":44.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP (Black) \/ Medium","offer_id":52826127008055,"sku":null,"price":44.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP (Black) \/ Large","offer_id":52826127040823,"sku":null,"price":44.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP (Black) \/ XL","offer_id":52826127073591,"sku":null,"price":44.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP (Black) \/ XXL","offer_id":52826127106359,"sku":null,"price":44.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD \/ XS","offer_id":52826127139127,"sku":null,"price":35.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD \/ Small","offer_id":52826127171895,"sku":null,"price":35.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD \/ Medium","offer_id":52826127204663,"sku":null,"price":35.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD \/ Large","offer_id":52826127237431,"sku":null,"price":35.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD \/ XL","offer_id":52826127270199,"sku":null,"price":35.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD \/ XXL","offer_id":52826127302967,"sku":null,"price":35.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0966\/3935\/3143\/files\/b5e7be4cd394f777e9319fc416df58dc22164f98_cbb171c131b8cfd114bc1c5f50f530f40d147721_medium_jpg_c002dd8f-b647-4673-9df9-914240d5d544.jpg?v=1786568552"}],"url":"https:\/\/mergerecords.com\/collections\/archers-of-loaf.oembed","provider":"Merge Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}