'Inches' of beautiful noise

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Les Savy Fav has been together for nine years, but its latest album, in some respects, nearly predates the band.

"It started before we even recorded a note together," says bassist Syd Butler, speaking by phone from Martha's Vineyard.

The band formed while Mr. Butler and three fellow musicians were students at the Rhode Island School of Design. Their idea was this: to record nine singles, release them on vinyl and make each record cover one part of a giant puzzle. When all nine covers are put together, they form one image.

Now, nearly a decade after they formed the band, they finally finished all of the singles and have released them as one album, called "Inches."

The album is a perfect way to get to know Les Savy Fav before checking out the group's show tonight at the Black Cat.

Mr. Butler says he's happy to have finally finished the project.

"I'm actually really glad that we did it instead of recording new material," he says. "I think it's really interesting to hear it as a whole piece."

Over the years, many of the vinyl singles have become collector's items. Each one was released through a different record label, and each single had a limited release.

One seller at the online auction site Ebay recently put a starting bid of $39.99 on the single "Our Coastal Hymn," which was released in 1998. Interested buyers could purchase it outright for $99.99 -- pretty expensive for two songs.

"Inches" presents the songs in reverse chronological order, which gives listeners an interesting insight into how the band's sound evolved.