Sunday, October 26, 2008

Fall has never been a fruitful season for me - I always find myself trudging through a semester of school back from summer, or sitting on the patio enjoying a cool breeze and the taste of the Rockies.  This autumn ethos, however, is not mutually felt by almost the entire Austin music scene, which has been churning out albums like nobody’s business the past few weeks.  This week, I’m taking a look at three recently released or upcoming albums that deserve more than a little attention.  Let’s get started.

La Snacks - Newfangled

La Snacks have already made something of a name for themselves ‘round these parts, so it’s no surprise that their new EP Newfangled, which comes as a follow up to their first full release, Brown, Orange, Black and Gray, is yet another step in the right direction for the band.  The keyword to describe La Snacks among critics and hipsters is "Pavement" (although I’ve been told "Pavement" is the word to describe all music in general).  While the comparison is true - La Snacks are reminiscent of some of the softer, less distortion-ridden half of Pavement - the similarities don’t distract from La Snacks’ own qualities, namely the crunchy guitar licks and smart, cynical lyrics of Robert Segovia.  La Snacks’ music has the fine quality of speaking for itself; here, listen:

:La Snacks - Kristen Was A Meteorologist:

Frantic Clam - Celebrity EP

Frantic Clam are the first of two newcomers I’m featuring this week, both of whom have extremely interesting back stories.  Our first newcomer, Frantic Clam, was formed while founding members Zack Hadley and Joe Sparks (who has since left the band) were in Iraq compliments of the US Army.  In fact, many of the songs that made it onto the Celebrity EP were written half a world away, sketched out on a guitar that was missing two strings.

It’s no surprise then that many of the songs reflect some of the darker themes of wartime (of which I admittedly have no knowledge), though not in an overtly a direct way.  Richard Cory, which takes its name from the Edwin Arlington Robinson poem by the same name, ponders the tumultuous emotions that lie below even the most admirable surface images, and The Emerald City is a stab through the heart of perfect misconceptions, a poignant satire more of modern life than of any specific political topic.

The real success of this album is found in it’s ability to take a now universal, mundane part of our lives (the war in Iraq, or even war in general) and relate it with personal experiences in a very universally human way, rather than the "Boot In The Ass" patriotism or equally insulting overgeneralizations and simplifications that we’ve grown used to.

This EP is a short 5 song run, but the band has a whole album that they’re hoping to release this January, so be on the lookout.

:Frantic Clam - Richard Cory:

Brian Kremer - Climbing the Vine

Although this album isn’t out for another three weeks, it’s so stunning that I have to mention it now.  As I said, both of these two new bands have interesting back-stories, and Kremer’s is no less unique.  After attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music to study vocal performance and music engineering, Kremer spent time back in native Vermont and then up in the twin cities with the Dale Warland Singers, the famous 40-person choral group (or so Wikipedia tells me).  It wasn’t until 2003 that Kremer finally moved to Austin to pursue other opportunities (you know, like folk music).

Kremer’s background makes for an interesting story, but none of it would matter if this album wasn’t as glowing of a success as it was.  And believe me, this album glows.

The most likely comparisons, especially for the more energetic tracks, are Jayhawks albums, namely Rainy Day Music (one of my personal favorites).  The instrumentation is that of a simple, classic folk ensemble, featuring predominantly guitar, drums, organ and a few keys and strings from time to time. Like the live sound of a great jazz combo, no matter how creative and exciting experimental music can be, there’s nothing like hearing a simple, live set - a talented lyricist singing and strumming away over a wailing Hammond and the steady clap of a high-hat. Maybe I’m "old school" but I get the feeling that there’s a brand of music than can only be created by skilled writing, a group of friends and a couple cases of beer.  But everything I hear an album like Climbing the Vine, I get the feeling I’m pretty right.

:Brian Kremer - Sparrow Boxing:

- John Michael Cassetta -



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