Track It Down: The Heavenly States, The Donkeys, About Group
For a second it seems Heavenly States’ “Berlin Wall” is only as good as it seems because of the borrowed pipes of none other than Britt Daniel. But the triumphant close washes away that sentiment just as forcefully as it does the simple fingerpicked intro, with drums explosive enough to tear down that wall itself. The rest of Oui Camera Ou falls short of this EP’s highlight, although the comic closer “Careful With That Review, Eugene” gives it all a new perspective. Enlisting Eugene Mirman of Flight of the Concords fame, some of the bands most negative reviews garnered from their first full length are delivered with attempted sincerity to mock the contrived self-importance blotting the blogosphere. So I suppose at the risk of being featured in their next epilogue I’ll just say “you guys rule” and step off the internet pulpit.
The Heavenly States – Berlin Wall
“I like the way that you walk/And all the things that you do”. There’s no simpler way to put it, and these California boys don’t need to fully tie together thoughts about bees and Coupe de Villes to make their case. Find someone to admire and and let her let you. Embodying the slacker vibe with a hidden precision, The Donkeys (I suppose all the cool animals have been taken by now) put forth Born With Stripes on April 26. Highly recommended for days lazy breezy hazy and easy.
The Donkeys – I Like the Way You Walk
With the earnest delivery of Ira Kaplan and some similar sonic tendencies, the comparison is hard to avoid. Slowly unfolding from quavering keys, augmented with just enough wah to fill your fix, only the bursting jam in the middle keeps this psychedelic gem from shimmering away. As a Hot Chip side project, About Group features front-man Alexis Taylor with an eclectic backing, most notably including the drummer from 80′s prog-punk revolutionaries, This Heat. Adding to the allure, Their first full-length Start and Complete was recorded in one day at Abbey Road in London, and seems to have soaked up a little of the sweat and joy and inspiration from the studio’s past in grooving sponteneity. Find it on shelves April 26.
About Group – Nothing But Words
