Blitzen Trapper:Furr Damien Jurado:Caught in the Trees Okkervil River:The Stand Ins Calexico:Carried To Dust Dr. Dog:Fate Horse Feathers: House With No Home The Uglysuit:The Uglysuit Fujiya & Miyagi:Lightbulbs Hotel Lights:Firecracker People Winterpills:Central Chambers
Furr is the fourth release in the Blitzen Trapper catalog, and the follow up to Wild Mountain Nation. Wild Mountain Nation, for me anyway, was one of those albums that came out with a ton of press and lived up to only some of it. There were brilliant sparks of creativity hidden between aural oddities. Seemingly from out of the blue, comes Bitzen trapper's Sub Pop debut Furr. This album comes off as a sophomore release, mainly due to the debutant nature of their Wild Mountain Nation. The catch is that Furr carries none of the usual traits of a sophomore slump, instead, it hits on all cylinders.
Described by Wiki as an "experimental pop band," I think Blitzen Trapper has put the experimentation on hold for the time being as they put forth a mostly consistent and stable album. They seem to have zeroed into the best aspects of Wild Mountain Nation and settled in on a 70's retro, smokey back porch sound that just seems to fit like an old pair of boots. I can't help but think some of the credit for this new focus should be attributed to their lengthy 2008 tour with Fleet Foxes. Playing together in the 7th Street Entry last April made for a show that will go down in the history books. Both bands are destined for much bigger things, and a showcase like that is an anomaly. The bands current six piece lineup is lead by singer/guitarist Eric Earley. It's Eric's vocals and the bands harmonies that have found comfort amongst the rootsy textures of songs like "Black River Killer" and "Gold for Bread." Maintaining a prominent place on my daily play list is the title track "Furr." This is one of those songs that you just can't get enough of. It's a toe tapping sing-a-long song that rings in your head long after the track winds to an end. The album comes to a balanced finish like the last drag off a backwoods cigar. "Lady on the Water" is a quiet story that blends Appalachian fingerpickin guitar, wispy keyboards and light piano.
Blitzen Trapper returns to Minneapolis on November 8th at the Turf Club where they will share the stage with another up-coming band called Horse Feathers. This will undoubtedly be one of the last times you will have a chance to see this band on a small stage in an intimate setting. Don't miss it.
Okkervil River's latest album titled The Stand Ins, is their fifth full length in a progression of sound that spans over a decade ago. Beginning as a New Hampshire trio with Will Robinson Sheff on Vocals & Guitar, Seth Warren on Drums and Zach Thomas on Bass. The Okkervil River has since made Austin, Texas home and has morphed into a full band of six. What began as stark and somewhat dark, has become lush and full of life. Will and the gang have fleshed out their sound bringing in a multitude of instruments including banjo, trumpet, mandolin, keyboards, and accordion.
My own relationship with Okkervil River began with the release of their third album Black Sheep Boy and has recently culminated with a solid new album and a recent performance at the San Diego's Belly Up Tavern. I'm not sure I've ever quite had the full appreciation until now. The Stand Ins has Okkervil River breaking out of their darker side and showing a more of a consistent pop sensibility. The songs are instant and accessible. Will's vocals range from a sensual drawn out singing style (not unlike Morrissey) to a more talkie, Hold Steady comparison in "Pop Lie".
The Stand Ins opens with keyboard heavy 48 second atmospheric piece that is simply titled "The Stand Ins, One". This is one of three interludes that break up this pop heavy album. A transition is quickly made to the banjo/ tambourine trot of "Lost Coastlines". This is where Sheff's voice winds playfully around the his deep chorus vocals and the jangly strumming of his guitar. While each song has a charm all it's own, the standouts are "Singer Songwriter" and their self-prophesized "On Tour With Zykos." The band just happens to be on tour with Zykos when I saw them. These songs are so well designed. It's so easy to find yourself lost in their lyrical story, or just tapping the tambourine in your head. Okkervil River have emerged a force to be noticed in indie music, much like the Decemberists or New Pornographers. If you've held a verdict on this band, now is the time to give them the chance they deserve.
Catch them on their Green Tour: Over 80 % of a concert’s CO2 footprint is from the fans’ commute Okkervil River are proud to announce a goal of making their fall US tour completely carbon neutral. The plan has 2 parts: Reducing fans' carbon footprint by encouraging them to ride bikes, carpool, or take public transit to the shows where possible, and offsetting the rest of their carbon emissions through purchasing Native Energy carbon offsets.
Okkervil River:The Stand Ins Blitzen Trapper:Furr Neil Halstead:Oh! Mighty Engine Calexico:Carried To Dust Grand Ole Party:Humanimals Earlimart:Hymn and Her Damien Jurado:Caught in the Trees Chris Koza:The Dark, Delirious Morning Dr. Dog:Fate Blue Mountain:Midnight in Mississippi
Ra Ra Riot:The Rhumb Line Okkervil River:The Stand Ins Neil Halstead:Oh! Mighty Engine Haley Bonar:Big Star Grand Ole Party:Humanimals Earlimart:Hymn and Her Damien Jurado:Caught in the Trees Chris Koza:The Dark, Delirious Morning Brad Senne:The Shapes That Shift Us Blue Mountain:Midnight in Mississippi
Grand Ole Party's opening performance for Spiritualized had me convinced that they were a force to be reckoned with by the second song into their set. Opening bands often provide a backdrop loud club banter. It's rare when a band with very little local history commands the attention of the entire audience. Flanked by bassist Michael Krechnyak and guitarist John Paul Labno, drummer Kristin Gundred sits front center behind a big beat, with an endearing sneer and a wail that won't let go. Their show was filled with a kind of energy that most bands never deliver. It was exhausting just listening to their set. It became clear, that I was going to have to support this band and buy the disc.
One of the first things that comes to mind on the second spin of this album is how all of the songs had so quickly become familiar. Humanimals almost immediately fits like a old baseball glove. Whether it's singer Gundred's unique in-your-face enunciation, or simply tunes that rarely stray from their formula, the fact of the matter is that Grand Ole Party has created a very listenable and likable album. That said, this is not a great album. There are flaws. It's familiarity could be it's downfall, as the lack of discovery will shorten the listenable lifespan. While it's a fun album to crank in the car on the way to work, and again on the way home, there are very few surprises. GOP lays it all on the line from the get-go. Stand-out songs include "Look Out Young Son," and "I.N.S.A.N.E.," both of which showcase the bluesy bark that Gundred spews like glass shards. Humanimals is not a new album. It was released in 2007 and produced by Blake Sennett of Rilo Kiley. A google search will produce a handful of comparisons to the White Stripes but I don't really hear it (could it be that Kristin is a female drummer, who sings). There is however plenty of reference to the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Grace Slick, Chrissie Hynde and a handful of other women who wail. Gundred sings with a strong caterwaul that has me convinced that GOP is only the beginning of her long music career. She certainly doesn't need to sit front center with a drum kit to be noticed, but it doesn't hurt. I highly recommend catching GOP when they come to your town, and if you're looking for some fun driving tunes, pick up the album, you won't be sorry. Fear not, Grand Ole Party (the band) carries no reference to the Republican Party.
The Music on The Snack Tray The songs on The Snack Tray are for sampling only. If you LIKE the music, please support the artists. Buy their music and t-shirts, go to their concerts and tell all your friends. If you represent an artist or a label and would like us to remove a link, please email me at larrymann@thesnacktray.com and I will immediately remove the file.
