I listened to the first few songs yesterday and really liked what I heard, especially that first Cramps-esque, Rock-a-billy number. Thanks for the link.
04-20-2009, 08:21 AM
Mr MidFi
Thanks for the pity-click, ELT.
I haven't picked up their recent disc yet, but my buddy at work has been playing it plenty and it all sounds pretty good to me.
04-21-2009, 10:11 AM
3-LockBox
You are actually right, I'd be surprised if an album like this didn't do well around these parts. Loose alt-country similar to Old '97s or Wilco, verging on indie rock - not twangy enough to compare to the likes of an Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown or Drive By Truckers.
Sparce arrangements - has that sound of being recorded in-studio without overdubs, or its just a small bar with sedate patrons, which is the only way to listen to band like this really. The lead singer has that frenetic, barely-contained-energy quality that I'd usually associate more with indie rock than alt-country, since his voice doesn't have that strained, rural, world weary Steve Earl quality that many alt-country bands of the '90s and '00s have.
I was actually thinking early Modest Mouse on some of those tracks, and as I read further into their bio, the producer for their albums was the same guy who worked with Modest Mouse, Brian Deck.
04-21-2009, 11:49 AM
Mr MidFi
I just read that they've been added to the Lollapalooza lineup, which is looking fairly interesting overall. The headliners are no big deal to me, but the second-tier acts are looking pretty cool.
I think their web site makes them sound more alt.country than they really are, actually. My overall impression is more like Violent Femmes meet Willie Nile.