As I am sitting here drinking my morning coffee and checking the news I keep asking myself, “Am I a bad person? Am I misguided?” Let me explain.
Amy and I are currently listening to the new All American Rejects album and I can’t help but thinking, “This is pretty dang good (relatively speaking).” Yes, it’s overproduced. Yes, it’s formulaic. Yes, it’s totally catchy. And for whatever reason I found myself comparing this to the new DCFC record.
I’ve listened to DCFC’s Plans 4 (maybe 5) times, and (even now) I can only remember one melody on the album. It’s just plain boring. This new AAR album (conversely) is full of memorable hooks and sugary-sweet goodness. Maybe it’s because I expected it to be worse, and I expected Death Cab’s latest to be much better. But they are both probably going to be marketed to the “Generation OC” right? Plans just seems like a watered-down (mainstream-ized) version of DCFC’s previous efforts but AAR’s Move Along isn’t afraid to rock to excess. One is pretending the other shows it’s true colors.
Let’s all not forget that the first AAR album was originally released on the punk label Doghouse Records which has released stuff from the likes of Hot Water Music, Get Up Kids, Threadbare, Metroschifter, As Friends Rust, and more. AAR vs. DCFC. You decide the winner.
Anyhow, music for you today from Lewis & Clarke whose latest record is out now on Summersteps Records. It is a grand blending of acoustic guitars, (sometimes) hushed vocals, occasional slide guitar, and more into a lush (yet somehow lonesome and barren sonic landscape. Dark, moody alt-country with infectious melodies reminiscent of (at times) Neil Young and Iron & Wine. How could you go wrong? Lucero, on the other hand, has a slightly different take on alt-country. Now I love this band so it’s about time I posted something from them. These Memphis “boys” play southern-country-punk-rock that is hard not to love. Their songs are honest and full of punk punk attitude. Known for their raucous live shows (they played the Bottom Lounge in Chicago last night), Lucero is one of the hardest working bands around today. They are always touring so I recommend that you check them out soon. You won’t be disappointed.
MP3 | Lewis & Clarke – Bloody Coat Bare Bones And Branches
MP3 | Lucero – Bikeriders Nobody’s Darlings
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come help us.
“come on, boys!” (in my best, rough, southern boy accent). you know how i love lucero. =)
Two great bands.