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Sunday, July 13, 2008

It’s been a while since I’ve showered a little love on the old hometown.  This weekend, the local folk collective Brothers and Sisters gave their album away for free at a CD release show here in Austin.  I didn’t make the show, so maybe I’m just feeling bad, or maybe it’s the excellent folk rock on the new album that’s put me in an unusually good mood.  Either way, it’s Austin time.

But first, as always, a little history.  The real "brothers and sisters" of the bunch are Will and Lilly Courtney, the creative force behind the project.  Rounding it out are a good number of other local musicians on a whole slew of glorious folk instruments (you know, like tambourine and drums and stuff).  The concept of a "collective" looks good on paper, but up on the stage it’s even better, defying the phony mysticism of indie rock for wonderfully simple, old-timey fun-with-yer-friends folk music. But don’t take my word for it, listen to what Will Scheff (you know, of Okkervil River, that other Austin band) had to say about the very topic:

"...their music entirely lacks the calculated cool of contemporary indie rock and seems totally oblivious to the cynical machinations of the music business.  In an indie world currently hell-bent on exhuming the still-warm corpse of post-punk, Brothers and Sisters reach back to a sunnier age, when idioms as disparate as polished West Coast pop, rock and roll choogle,  AM radio balladry and classic country could still rub up against each other at the same hazy Topanga canyon party."

There are two things that we can take from this: Will Scheff generally knows what he’s talking about, and Brothers and Sisters are a refreshing throwback to simpler times in our music history, times that were more about big ol’ beards than big ol’ V-necks.

Back in 2005 the band released their debut eponymous album, putting to record their bold denial of all things "cool."  The album, at least for me, is wildly versatile.  On late sunny summer days, I’d roll the windows down and pop the album in the car stereo, but come fall and winter (which in Austin is really just fall), there was no better porch-side soundtrack than Brothers and Sisters.  Simply put, I loved this album (and still do).  You can check out two tracks from it below, but I’d suggest watching this video as well to get the full effect of Brothers and Sisters.

:Brothers And Sisters - One Night:
:Brothers And Sisters - Without You:

And then three loooong years of waiting.  An album like Brothers and Sisters’ debut can certainly hold up over time, but three years is pushing.  Luckily for us, the band stopped just short of really pushing their luck, and drew up plans for a little somethin’ called Fortunately.  The new album is, for the most part, a refined version of the same old Brothers and Sisters, but an all around more ambitious record.

These next two songs are great examples of the similarities, and the evolution of the band.  The Air Is Getting Thicker is considerably more adventurous than most of the straight forward jams on their debut.  On the other hand, this second song, You’re Gone, has more of rock-out, electric guitar quality to it.  The variety is nice, but deep down, it’s the same thing that first drew me to Brothers and Sisters.  Essentially, Fortunately is the perfect sequel to an album that’s been my musical standard for far too long now.

:Brothers And Sisters - The Air Is Getting Thicker:
:Brothers And Sisters - You're Gone:

I know today’s post was a little short, but I’ve got a lot of long distance driving to do today (guess which albums are in the "trip" bucket).  I hope everyone’s got a few of those go-to albums, and if you want to share them, feel free!  I’m always looking for good new music.

John Michael Cassetta keeps his own blog, Big Diction, and writes for the local website Austin Sound.  Comments, complaints, and solicitations may be directed here.

- John Michael Cassetta -



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