EIAC - Dead Confederate, Western States Motel, Dar Williams, Black Gold
I am way behind on listening to promos and doing reviews - trying to catch up now....
Artist: Dead Confederate
Album: Wrecking Ball
Recommended if you like: southern rock with a harder edge
From the press kit:
“Hardy Morris, the lead singer of the Athens, GA band Dead Confederate, has a good voice for rock n roll, and he uses it with all appropriate conviction...grippingly intense.” - NY Times
Standout Tracks: “Goner","The Rat”
Worth a second listen?:
I’m pretty stoked that KBZT put this on their recommended this month. I’ll admit I had trouble listening to it all the way through, the first couple of times. I usually give up at that point, but I’m glad I stuck with it because there’s no denying that this band has some potential. They are playing at Casbah on Wednesday, so go check them out if you have the chance.
More info: official/myspace
Listen: “The Rat”
Artist: Western States Motel
Album: Painted Birds Flying in the Orange Mirror Sun
Recommended if you like: indie pop
From the press kit:
“the musical equivalent of that mint on your pillow at the end of the night: low-key, unexpected, and sweet. Mixing shimmery summer sounds with unlikely introspection, Jordan’s songs call to mind the smooth sounds of bands like the Shins and Grandaddy.”
-SPIN
Standout Tracks: “Oh World”, “A Moment in the Sun”
Worth a second listen?:
Comparisons to the Shins and Grandaddy are not taken lightly. This EP is a very pleasant listen.
More info: official/myspace
Listen: “Oh World”
Artist: Dar Williams
Album: Promised Land
Recommended if you like: folky chicks
From the press kit:
“A new generation of pop-folk enthusiasts lauds her as one of the genre’s central figures.”
- Paste
Standout Tracks: “The Easy Way”,"Buzzer"
Worth a second listen?:
These songs are made for triple a radio. Lots of stories in the lyrics and good melodies.
More info: official/myspace
Listen: “It’s Alright”
Artist: Black Gold
Album: Tragedy and Legacy
Recommended if you like: dancy indie pop - kinda reminded me of MGMT
From the press kit:
“The band play crafty pop songs with big hooks, but flesh them out with Luu’s creative percussion and the ace key chops of Ronick, who sounds like Bruce Hornsby’s song discovering Hot Chip.”
-Samuel Duke, RCRD LBL
Standout Tracks: “Detroit”, “Breakdown”
Worth a second listen?:
I like reviewing EPs...much easier. This EP is being released as a teaser for the full length - it really should have been the “Detroit” single as opposed to an EP, but whatevs. I thought this was going to be more dancy with the comparison to Hot Chip, but I guess there was a Bruce Hornsby reference, too. In any case, it’s upbeat without being too dancy and does make me think I will want to listen to the full-length when it is out.
More info: myspace
Listen: “Detroit” (yt)
