Album Review: The Leadership - Frontiers

It was a few weeks ago that I first heard The Leadership's excellent debut Frontiers.  I was scouring my iTunes library, submissions from bands/publicists and other music blogs to find new tunes for the Spring Mixtape when I somehow found myself on the band's bandcamp page.  Opening track "Keep The Change" earned a spot on the mix, and the whole album has been in heavy rotation ever since.

"Keep The Change" starts as a subdued shuffle before a wave of distorted guitars enter for the chorus and Jonathon Childers' voice rises to a raspy roar.  For the most part, The Leadership take sonic cues from no-frills country and blues-rock - two obvious touchstones are fellow Illinois bands, Uncle Tupelo and (early)Wilco.  "Thank You" and "Cocaine" both have a Stones-y swagger and "Aluminum Man" bounces along on a shuffling country beat.  "Bring It Back (to the Beginning)" lets the band stretch their legs, starting as a whisper and steadily building to a soaring guitar solo.

I've really been digging Frontiers, honestly I've listened to it at least once per day for the last couple weeks.  Nothing too complicated - just solid songs and great hooks.  Check out the first two tracks below, and head to the band's bandcamp page to get the rest for just $6.

The Leadership - Keep The Change
The Leadership - Thank You