Summer in Abaddon

A little research on the title of Pinback's 2004 album SUMMER IN ABADDON reveals the literal meaning of Abaddon as "complete destruction or ruin," as well as being the Hebrew name for the demon guarding the pits of Hell. It could, of course, also be referring to the small township in Pennsylvania.
The album itself is also full of contrasts, meshing crisp, mid-tempo math-rock rhythms and pristine guitar work with rather cryptic and unsettling lyrics, one part journal entry and one part jagged-romance manifesto. Copious syncopation and vocal harmonies hint at mid-era Sunny Day Real Estate, though Pinback's bass-heavy melodies owe more of a debt to slowcore heroes Bedhead. The group approaches the emotional peaks of early Modest Mouse with the stiff-and-staggered delivery of "Non Photo-Blue" and "Syracuse," but the drums-and-piano arrangement of "The Yellow Ones" hints at a darker direction towards the end of the album. Perhaps not quite dark enough to verge on the aforementioned pits of Hell, but certainly enough to seem pitch black against the idyllic atmosphere of the rest of the record.