Review // The Lumineers - Self-Titled

Words // Scott Pingeton

The Lumineers - Ho Hey

Going into 2012 there were two bands I thought would absolutely explode this year.  One was Alabama Shakes, and just one week shy of the release of their debut album it's safe to chalk that one up.  The other was The Lumineers.  Both bands came into 2012 with just an EP and a healthy dose of blog buzz under their belts.  Whereas Alabama Shakes' hype was built around 4 throwback soul songs, the perch that The Lumineers found themselves on was perhaps even more precarious.  Sure, their 7 song EP was great...but much of the attention was centered around live videos of one, simple folk song.  "Ho Hey" held a lot of promise, but it was also a lot to live up to.

Driving through central Texas en route to SXSW, somewhere between Waco and Austin, Kyle (of Music Savage) threw on The Lumineers debut album and by the time the way too-short "Flowers In Your Hair" came to an end I knew that The Lumineers had delivered on the promise and buzz that "Ho Hey" had generated.  You see, I could see the band going one of two ways -- either embracing the pop-friendly melodies that form the core of their sound, and layering on shiny, unnecessary production flourishes or, letting the songs stand on their own.  Thankfully, the band took the latter path.  Stripped down to just acoustic instruments and handclaps, it's easy for the melodies, songwriting and performance shine.

If anything, the album errs too much on the side of brevity and simplicity - but that is easily forgiven given the quality of the songs.  Most of the songs are over before you know it - four of the first five tracks clock in under 3 minutes - never wearing out their welcome.  The sound is live and raw, just three musicians in a room.  The songs are catchy - strong melodies, pulsing rhythms and refrains that beg to be sung along to - but what binds it all together are Wesley Schultz's lyrics.  These are stories that carry weight, parables put to music.  It's easy to get behind music that you relate to, and that is the charm of The Lumineers.  When Schultz sings "It's better to feel pain than nothing at all / The opposite of love is indifference" on "Stubborn Love" he's singing about himself, but the sentiment is universal; everyone takes something different from those words.  That is the mark of a great song.

The Lumineers debut is successful on a lot of different levels.  The songs and arrangements are not ambitious or challenging, they're just great, catchy folk-pop songs.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  Over the past couple years The Head And The Heart have made a name for themselves with a similar formula, and I can easily see The Lumineers following a similar path.  2012 has been incredibly strong for new music so far, but this is another record that's right at the top of my list.

Order The Lumineers' self-titled debut here.  The Lumineers are playing Cafe 939 on April 20 with Kopecky Family Band - tickets are sold out.

Here's a great live video of "The Dead Sea" from The Sights Of Sounds:

Keep Your Heart Up / The Lumineers at SXSW

Words // Scott Pingeton

SXSW got off to a bit of a rough start for me.  We rolled into town on Thursday night and walked directly into the belly of the beast.  We were totally unprepared for the chaos of 6th Street during SXSW.  Our heads spinning, music blaring, thousands of drunk music fans of all persuasions swarming the streets - alcohol seemed the easiest way to assimilate.  So we did.  The rest of the night was a blur of neon and whiskey.  There was an enthusiastic fan imploring me to see Kishi Bashi the following night, some deep conversation with Kyle Hauser (banjo-toting off-duty artist) and a great set from Adam Arcuragi -- but when I finally hit the pillow that night, I wasn't quite sure what to think of the whole thing.  It was a lot to handle.

I woke up the following morning, feeling not-great.  Drank a few gallons of water, downed some Advil, headed to IHOP for some much-needed breakfast and then dove back into the madness.  But somehow, in the light of day with a full night under our belts, it all seemed so much more manageable.  The skills of logic and reason still within our grasph we consulted our schedules and decided to check out The Lumineers at the Paste Magazine / Sennheiser day party.  As we walked into the cool, friendly and relaxed confines of the Stage on 6th, SXSW finally made sense to me.  Within 5 minutes I had seen a few familiar faces from Boston and was five feet from the stage where one of my favorite up-and-coming artists was playing an incredible set.  What I realized at that moment is that SXSW was about timing -- it was totally possible, with a little planning and good fortune, to spend an entire day walking from bar to bar to bar seeing great live music.  You just had to be in the right place at the right time.

The Lumineers' charm is in their authenticity.  Those original live videos of "Ho Hey" that made the rounds however many months ago were charming because it showed a band connecting with their audience through just a simple song with a perfect melody and a heartfelt performance.  They were vibrant and electric and completely captured the spirit of live music at its best.  I was worried that as the band found success they would polish their songs to a shiny luster and lose the organic, unvarnished earnestness that had been so likeable.  After seeing a full show and listening to their upcoming debut countless times, I'm glad to report that that isn't the case.  The album (which is excellent, full review next week) is stripped-down and raw -- like the live show, it makes a visceral connection with the listener through words, melody and acoustic instruments.  That's usually all you really need.

Here is the band performing "Hey Ho" and "Stubborn Love" at SXSW:

Stubborn Love (sound gets a little better after first few seconds)

Ho Hey

Songs for Wednesday: The Lumineers, Wake Owl and more

Words // Adam Sharp

The Lumineers - "Ho Hey"
For the last year or so this had been at the top of my 'Songs I’ve Seen Awesome Videos Of But That Aren’t Yet Properly Released’ list.  I'm pretty happy it's off that list.  (website)

Wake Owl - "Gold"
It's pretty simple: this is an absolutely great song. You need to hear it.  (website)

Wake Owl - Gold 

These United States - "A Day To Float The Bahnar Boat"
There are songs that sound like lazy days. This is one of them.

These United States - A Day To Float The Bahnar Boat  

Blind Pilot - "Half Moon" (for Yourstru.ly)
I wish every band would go into a studio for a day, rework an already great song, and then film it, cause the finished product here is just phenomenal.  (website)

John Heart Jackie - "Working Titles" (Damien Jurado cover)
Jennie and Peter of John Heart Jackie were so moved by Damien Jurado 'Working Titles' on first listen that they quickly laid down this absolutely gorgeous, simple cover of it before it was properly released this week. It's fun to know bands you like are fans just like you.  (website)