Album Review: Lab Coast - Pictures on the Wall

There's just something about lo-fi recordings.  Give me gorgeous songs strangled by a hissy, hazy 4-track mess of white noise over slick, big budget recording studio sterility any day.  And that reverby beachy sound that Real Estate, Holiday Shores and countless other bands have turned into its own sub-genre over the past couple years is probably my favorite flavor of lo-fi. 

If you dig those bands you'll want to listen to Lab Coast, a Canadian band that sounds way more SoCal than Calgary.  A casual slacker sound permeates their debut LP Pictures on the Wall.  With 12 songs clocking in at under 20 minutes (only one track cracks the 2:30 minute mark), calling it an LP is a bit generous - but it's a totally enjoyable listen, even if it's over too quick and the ideas are left frustratingly unexplored.  "Radio" wants to be a hit in the shimmering, meandering vein of "Range Life" but it's over before it really gets going.  Maybe that's the point though - these are fleeting moments of beauty, like a summer day it's gone before you know it.  "Really Realize" might be the most fleshed-out song here and it sounds like a 90s alt-rock radio hit filtered through a 2011 indie rock lens -- it's destined to be one of my summer roadtrip songs.  Check out "Really Realize" here, and grab the rest on iTunes.

Lab Coast - Really Realize

Moving pictures: Brenda - "Girl Don't Grow"

We first heard Brenda's "Girl Don't Grow" at the Solid Sound Festival last August - it was a standout within a set that featured mostly tunes from the band's debut Silver Tower.  The band shared a demo version of the song back in January, but now we have a final version and a gorgeous video to go along with it.  Great track - check out the video...

The band will be playing with Titus Andronicus on March 29 in Portland ME (Space Gallery) and March 30 in Burlington VT (Club Metronome) -- if you're in the area I highly recommend checking it out.

Deer Tick - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Matt Vasquez (Delta Spirit) joins Deer Tick for Bruce Springsteen's "Racing In The Street"Sandwiched between Dawes and Middle Brother, Deer Tick played an energetic, loose set (they know no other kind) to a rowdy almost-hometown crowd in Boston.  The set was sprinkled with new arrangements for old Deer Tick songs and brand new songs.  A bar band at heart, John McCauley and company threw in a few choice covers from two of my personal favorites - a revved-up take on Bruce Springsteen's classic "Racing In The Street" and Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me" both featured Delta Spirit's Matt Vasquez.  However, in many ways the night found its peak as Matt Vasquez, Jonny Corndawg and Dawes all crowded on stage for cajun party song "Down South In New Orleans" - thoughts of The Last Waltz were inevitable.  Deer Tick, Dawes and Delta Spirit may not be The Band, Dylan and Neil Young...but seeing three of the best bands making music today having a blast on stage together is still an awe inspiring sight.

Complete Deer Tick recording is available below for stream or download in pristine sound.  This rounds out the trifecta (Dawes and Middle Brother sets are already up).  Thanks again to the fantastic staff at the Paradise and each of the bands for allowing us to document such a magical night.  Enjoy!

Deer Tick
Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
March 3, 2011

Something To Brag About
Bury Deep
Smith Hill
Ashamed
Idaho
Racing In The Street (Bruce Springsteen)
Bring It On Home To Me (Sam Cooke)
Spend The Night
Born At Zero
Hope Is Big
These Old Shoes
Christ Jesus
Down South In New Orleans (Bobby Charles)

Full set download:  mp3 zip

(Note:  the kind folks at Partisan Records asked that we not post a couple of the brand new tracks)

Related posts:
Dawes - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11
Middle Brother - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Dawes - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Deer Tick's John McCauley joins Dawes for "When My Time Comes" in Boston, March 3, 2011The very first post on Visible Voice back in March of 2010 was a live recording of Dawes at Great Scott in Allston, so it's fitting to mark the approximate 1 year anniversary of the site with a brand new recording of Dawes.  While I marvel at the growth of Visible Voice in the last year, the ascent of Dawes in that same timeframe is staggering.  From a tiny, albeit sold out, Great Scott in February to a monumental breakout set at Newport Folk to another sold out Royale show in November, the band has been playing larger and larger venues across the country, and growing an ever-larger fanbase.  It's really no surprise - when I first heard Dawes sometime in early 2009 I liked what I heard, but wasn't a believer until I saw them live.  They play with a passion and intensity that seems to becoming more rare among many of today's entitled,  P4k-hyped buzz bands.  Dawes is doing it the old fashioned way, and it's paying off.

Playing first on a stacked bill that also included Deer Tick and Middle Brother, Dawes played to an already-packed house - opening with Bedside Manner from 2009 debut North Hills.  Their set consisted of a fairly even mix of old favorites and new tracks from their upcoming sophomore LP.  Highlights from the new songs include "If I Wanted Someone" and "Fire Away", both hard-edged takes on the rootsy classic rock sound that has become the band's trademark.  Jonny Corndawg joined the band for a 5-song mini-set of his own tunes, expousing the benefits of exercise, razors and taking out the trash.  Anyone that wasn't already a convert certainly was by the time the set ended, as John McCauley joined the band for an expectedly blistering take on "When My Time Comes", a cathartic singalong and brilliant set closer.

The full recording is available for stream or download below in pristine sound (soundboard+room matrix).  Thanks to the staff at the Paradise for a fantastic mix, and to Dawes for their taper-friendly polilcies.  I hope everyone enjoys this...it's a good one!

Dawes
Paradise Rock Club - Boston MA
March 3, 2011

Bedside Manner
How Far We've Come
My Girl To Me
That Western Skyline
If I Wanted Someone
Out In The Woods (Leon Russell cover)
Peace In The Valley
Keep Your Body Happy Through Exercise (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
Shaved Like A Razor (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
When A Ford Man Turns To Chevy (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
Trashday (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
Goodbye (w/ Jonny Corndawg)
Fire Away
When My Time Comes (w/ John McCauley)

Full set download:  mp3 zip

Related post:  Middle Brother - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Visible Voice Spring 2011 Mixtape

The ground is starting to thaw and the air is getting back that moist smell of mud and life.  Spring is (almost) here.  We made it.  Now here are some tunes to help you shake off the lingering effects of hibernation...

My music listening habits tend to follow seasonal trends and, true to form, in Spring my musical palette expands to embrace the vibrancy of the season.  Lush pop sounds and grand statements are what I gravitate towards, and you'll see that reflected in the Spring Mixtape.  Following the arc of spring, Side A is alternately anthemic and introspective and Side B is a blast of pure summery fun. 

Comprised of almost all brand new or unreleased songs, there should be something new here for everyone.  Enjoy the tunes, let me know what you think in the comments and please share with friends! 

Side A
Southeast Engine - New Growth (from Canary, out 3/29 - preorder)
Apache Relay - Home Is Not Places (from American Nomad, out 4/12 - preorder)
The Leadership - Keep The Change (from Frontiers - buy)
The David Mayfield Parade - Blue Skies Again (from The David Mayfield Parade - buy)
Thousands - MTSES III (from The Sound Of Everything, out 3/21 - preview)
Daniel Lefkowitz - Death Is A Warm Bath (from Wilder Shores Of Love, self-released)

Side B
Cults - Go Outside (from Cults 7" - listen)
The Veils - The Stars Came Out Once The Light Went Out (from The Troubles of The Brain - listen)
Mean Creek - Sunlight (from Hemophiliac - buy)
Thick Shakes - Go Back To New York (from Why Buy the Cow 7" - free download)
We Can't Enjoy Ourselves - Put Your Blue Dress On (from One Belongs Here More Than You - free download)
Yuck - Get Away (from Yuck - buy)

Middle Brother - Live at The Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

It was almost a year ago to the day that I first heard the rumors about MG&V, an indie-folk-rock "supergroup" comprised of the frontmen of Deer Tick, Delta Spirit and Dawes.  Now, 12 months and 1 name-change later, Middle Brother is a reality.  I won't go into too much detail on the record itself, but I will say that all of my expectations were surpassed.  Rather than a collection of unpolished outtakes or throwaways that weren't good enough for their full-time bands, the collaboration showcases each of the songwriters in top form - each putting their stylistic mark on the album.  Matt Vasquez brings gritty soul-infused rock, John McCauley his trademark whiskey-soaked country-folk and Taylor Goldsmith lends a heart-on-sleeve croon and searing lead guitar.  It's an album that finds harmony in the cohesion between three talented and unique songwriters.

Fresh off the release of their self-titled album, the "Middle Brother Revue" rolled into Boston last Thursday.  I can't recall the last time I was as excited for a show - afterall, how often do you get a chance to see three of your favorite bands sharing the same stage?  Dawes and Deer Tick both played solid opening sets to a packed house (more on those in later posts...), setting the stage for Middle Brother and underscoring the unique dynamic of the lineup.  On this night, the opening bands' material was much more familiar to most of the crowd than that of the headliner.  With a revolving cast of bandmembers of stage for both of the opening sets, both of which featured crowd-favorite originals and singalong covers, the actual headlining set could have been anti-climatic.  As soon as the threesome, joined by members of Dawes, took the stage, any such notion was erased.  They exploded with confidence and energy, clearly having a blast, playing off of one another and delivering one of the most memorable sets I've seen in a while.

The Matt Vasquez-led opener "Blue Eyes" started the show on a rollicking note, while Taylor Goldsmith's poignant "Wilderness" and McCauley's sweetly wistful "Daydreaming" provided slower counterpoints.  The show, like the album, gave each bandmember a chance to shine, with "Million Dollar Bill" as the sparkling centerpiece with gorgeous three-part harmonies and traded verses.  As a perfectly-sloppy version of "Twist and Shout" capped-off over three hours of music, I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to be able to see this band in person.  Call me a pessimist, but I'm not sure the busy schedules of three increasingly-popular bands will allow for too many collaborations/tours like this down the road.  I hope I'm wrong.

Enjoy a fantastic complete recording of the show below - sound is excellent thanks to a great mix at the Paradise and a clean soundboard+room matrix.  Keep an eye out for the Dawes and Deer Tick sets soon too!  Please support all 4 bands by buying their music:  Middle Brother | Deer Tick | Dawes | Delta Spirit

Middle Brother
Paradise Rock Club - Boston MA
March 3, 2011

Blue Eyes
Mom and Dad
Thanks For Nothing
Someday
Daydreaming
Blood and Guts
Theater
Me Me Me
Wilderness
Million Dollar Bill
Middle Brother
Portland
Twist and Shout

Full set download:  mp3 zip

Related post: Dawes - Live at the Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

New music: Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven

Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven might be the best country- rock band you don't know.  Their soulful, dusty sound is what the E Street band might have sounded like if Springsteen kept driving down that "Rattlesnake Speedway in the Utah desert" and set up shop in Laurel Canyon, living out a sunny and stoned existence, far from the gray, smoke-stacked skies of northern New Jersey.

Maxim Ludwig isn't breaking new ground, but they join a rapidly growing corner of indie rock that is paying homage to the visceral classic rock of still-vital icons such as Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young.  Highly  recommended for fans of Phosphorescent, Dawes, early-MMJ and Gold/Cold Roses-era Ryan Adams.

"Stacy, C'mon" starts as weary-yet-upbeat pedal steel and organ shuffle before electric guitars enter for the singalong "na na na" chorus.  Doo-wop backing vocals, distorted electric guitar and wailing harmonica bring the song to a crescendo, before fading out in an extended coda.

Maxim Ludwig & The Santa Fe Seven - Stacy, C'mon

Grab their entire discography for free here (!).  And if you'll be down in Austin later this month, catch Ludwig & Co. at one of 4 SXSW showcases:

3/16 @ 3:30pm - SXSW Guitar Town/Conqueroo Party
3/17 @ 1:00pm - SXSW Music Fog @ Threadgill’s
3/18 @ 4:00pm - SXSW Sin City Party @ Maria’s Taco Xpress
3/18 @ 8:00pm - SXSW Official Hotel Cafe Showcase @ Ale House

Harrison Hudson - "Run My Way"

My day-to-day listening might lean more towards folk or garage rock, but there's nothing that lifts my mood and gets my toe tapping like a great Stax b-side.  And on those occasions when a soul tune veers into ragged garage rock territory, watch out.  You'll no doubt find early-period Elvis Costello, The Compulsive Gamblers/Reigning Sound, The Love Language et al among my very favorite bands.

I knew I was in for a treat when I saw the cover art for Harrison Hudson's new single "Run My Way" in all its 45-inspired glory.  And the track delivers - tambourines, horns, a stomping beat and belted-out, yearning vocals.  Every bit as satisfying as one of those dusty record store discount-bin gems.  Grab it free here.

Harrison Hudson - Run My Way

Yes we're going to a party party...

Visible Voice is one year old today!  I vividly remember the late night that I published the first post (a live recording of Dawes at Great Scott), and the intervening year has been a lot of fun and a lot of work.  It's been exciting and gratifying to meet fans of the site at shows, watch traffic grow day-after-day and generally have an outlet for my passion for music - I can't wait to see what year #2 has in store...

From the beginning, the goal of Visible Voice was to expose readers to great new music, with a specific focus on live music.  To me, there's nothing quite like live music and I try to do my part to capture a bit of that magic however possible.  In the last year we've shared nearly 30 live recordings - not to mention videos, photos and reviews.  So, what better way to commemorate our first year than by highlighting some of our favorite concert moments...

Wilco - Magazine Called Sunset  (Solid Sound Festival - North Adams MA 8.14.10)
The Low Anthem - Sally Where'd You Get Your Liquor From (Paradise - Boston MA 4.20.10 download)
John McCauley (Deer Tick) - Baltimore Blues No. 1 (Middle East - Cambridge MA 1.14.11 download)
The David Wax Museum - Born With A Broken Heart (Paradise - Boston MA 10.16.11 download)
Dr. Dog - The Way The Lazy Do (Paradise - Boston MA 5.12.10 download)
Dawes - Fire Away (Royale - Boston MA 11.6.10 download)
The Head And The Heart - Ghosts  (Paradise - Boston MA 2.20.11 download)
The Walkmen - Blue As Your Blood (Nor'easter Festival - Lincoln NH 9.25.10 download)
Gaslight Anthem - Bring It On (Nor'easter Festival - Lincoln NH 9.25.10 download)
Frontier Ruckus - Dark Autumn Hour (Red Room at Cafe 939 - Boston MA 2.12.11)