Wednesday, July 28, 2010

I love covering the Austin music scene for Side One: Track One because let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy discovering new and upcoming bands?  Yet sometimes I’m compelled to write about bands I’ve admired for a while.  One of those bands is Leatherbag.  Each year and with each release the group gets better and better, and it’s only a matter of time before the bandwagon is packed ... so reserve your seat now.

The group is fronted by Randy Reynolds who looks and sounds like a combo of Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan with a little Lou Reed and Buddy Holly thrown in the mix.  Like those great artists, Leatherbag’s music excels in a number of genres and on many different levels.  The group started off playing folk and rootsy Americana rock (like Dylan).  Over the years they’ve expanded their sound considerably.  The group recently released their third LP, Hey Day, a follow up to their stellar EPs Tomorrow and Everything I Once Knew from 2009.  The album kicks off with a driving bass line on Start All Over Again, a rollicking tune that packs a punch.  They take a slower turn and opt for sparse instrumentation and subdued vocals on songs like Go To Sleep. That tune in particular demonstrates the emotional range in Reynolds’ literate and sincere songwriting.  Somewhere in the middle of those two songs you’ll find the stand out track Lines. Listen to it a few times and just try to get it out of your head. I dare you.

The final track that really caught my attention was Forever Blue.  It’s a tribute to "broken-hearted" artists who persevere at their craft, never sell out, and focus on making great music above all else.  He name drops Alex Chilton, the power pop genius who clearly was a big influence on Reynolds.  It’s an anthemic gem and the underdog storyline only makes me root for Leatherbag even more.  I could go on and on about each track from Hey Day. Instead I’ll cut to the chase: Hey Day is yet another excellent effort by one of Austin’s very best bands and it’s guaranteed to be in my list of the top 10 albums of the year.  If you haven’t listened to these guys yet, I implore you to do so.  In fact, you can start tonight as Leatherbag shares The Parish stage with The Poison Control Center, Minorcan, and Follow That Bird! (another personal favorite of mine).

:Leatherbag - Start All Over Again:

:Leatherbag - Lines:

Leatherbag - On Down The Line (ACL Stage Left)
 

Dan Corbin also writes for a blog called DC Rock Club.  If you would like to contact him in regards to his writings here at Side One: Track One then please do so here.

- Dan Corbin -



Unless otherwise expressly stated, all text in this blog and any related pages, including the blog's archives, is licensed by John Laird under a Creative Commons License.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

I love covering the Austin music scene for Side One: Track One because let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy discovering new and upcoming bands?  Yet sometimes I’m compelled to write about bands I’ve admired for a while.  One of those bands is Leatherbag.  Each year and with each release the group gets better and better, and it’s only a matter of time before the bandwagon is packed ... so reserve your seat now.

The group is fronted by Randy Reynolds who looks and sounds like a combo of Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan with a little Lou Reed and Buddy Holly thrown in the mix.  Like those great artists, Leatherbag’s music excels in a number of genres and on many different levels.  The group started off playing folk and rootsy Americana rock (like Dylan).  Over the years they’ve expanded their sound considerably.  The group recently released their third LP, Hey Day, a follow up to their stellar EPs Tomorrow and Everything I Once Knew from 2009.  The album kicks off with a driving bass line on Start All Over Again, a rollicking tune that packs a punch.  They take a slower turn and opt for sparse instrumentation and subdued vocals on songs like Go To Sleep. That tune in particular demonstrates the emotional range in Reynolds’ literate and sincere songwriting.  Somewhere in the middle of those two songs you’ll find the stand out track Lines. Listen to it a few times and just try to get it out of your head. I dare you.

The final track that really caught my attention was Forever Blue.  It’s a tribute to "broken-hearted" artists who persevere at their craft, never sell out, and focus on making great music above all else.  He name drops Alex Chilton, the power pop genius who clearly was a big influence on Reynolds.  It’s an anthemic gem and the underdog storyline only makes me root for Leatherbag even more.  I could go on and on about each track from Hey Day. Instead I’ll cut to the chase: Hey Day is yet another excellent effort by one of Austin’s very best bands and it’s guaranteed to be in my list of the top 10 albums of the year.  If you haven’t listened to these guys yet, I implore you to do so.  In fact, you can start tonight as Leatherbag shares The Parish stage with The Poison Control Center, Minorcan, and Follow That Bird! (another personal favorite of mine).

:Leatherbag - Start All Over Again:

:Leatherbag - Lines:

Leatherbag - On Down The Line (ACL Stage Left)
 

Dan Corbin also writes for a blog called DC Rock Club.  If you would like to contact him in regards to his writings here at Side One: Track One then please do so here.

- Dan Corbin -



Unless otherwise expressly stated, all text in this blog and any related pages, including the blog's archives, is licensed by John Laird under a Creative Commons License.