Fun, catchy
guitar pop shouldn't have to be a guilty pleasure. It should
be heartily enjoyed and make you shout along to the fist
pumping "ohhh ooohs ooohs," especially in songs like Run
From The Light, which is the newest tune from Austin
quartet, Gentlemen Rogues. This song ticks off a few key
points for me: pounding drum intro - check, dual ringing
guitars with the just the right amount of crunch and volume
- check, and a sing-a-long anthem with a perfect balance of
angst and romance that should be all over the radio - check.
Check out their debut self titled EP on
Bandcamp., and get out and see them when
they
open for Electric Six at Emo's East on
October 15th.
I can be lazy
when it comes to checking out music recommendations from
friends, but I think I've finally realized that it pays off
to actually follow through on them. For example, I have to
thank Randy Reynolds from Leatherbag for recently turning me
on to Dallas quintet, the
Blurries. From the first notes of that
distinct 12 string guitar jangle, I fell hard into guitar
pop bliss. The band describes their sound as "janglecore" or
"jangle with angles," and if you're feeling nostalgic for
early REM, the Blurries might help ease your pain about
their breakup. I had their album, Paper Cuts, on
repeat before recently seeing them share a bill with
Leatherbag at Hole In The Wall. By the end of their set, I
was absolutely giddy with delight. Good golly, it sure is
nice to fall in love all over again with those 12 string
jangly guitar riffs and lush three part harmonies (sigh ...
). Here's hoping for a return gig to Austin in the near
future if only to hear their jaw dropping, refreshing take
on Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine.
- Jennifer
Leduc -
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