The
problem with compiling end of the year lists is that
it's easy to miss a well deserved effort or two.
After turning in my 2011 list to SOTO, I picked up
the latest CD by
Western Ghost
House, Kaleidoscope Tower,
at their record release show in mid-December. It's
been on frequent rotation ever since. It feels like
a movie soundtrack that is looking for its missing
film companion. With songs like "Varicose Veins" and
"October Leaves," you can close your eyes and
imagine you're in a spaghetti western with the sound
of tambourines as the equivalent of cowboy boot
spurs hitting the ground with careful precision. The
album title is referenced in the sensual ("tangled
hair and dirty thoughts and feelings") and dramatic
string-fueled "Festival." A standout favorite track
for me is the frenzied, cathartic "You Don't Scare
Me" - it builds and builds until the protagonist
screams out the words in the song title. "Branded"
has a striking, moody quality that resonates with
you ("all it takes is just a fraction of a memory/I
can only imagine how you must be").
WGH
take you on a mood-filled journey full of rich,
haunting imagery and it's worth exploring again and
again.
Another
2011 release that I didn't find until the beginning
of 2012 is the self titled album from El Cento. I
first saw the lead singer, Don Cento, at a recent
Crowded House/Neil Finn hoot night, so I knew the
man had good taste. I had a late start to enjoying
the Free Week shows. I had plans to see favorites,
Leatherbag along with Ryan Thomas Becker and Last
Joke, at Hole in the Wall. I arrived at Hole in the
Wall on the night of January 6 during El Cento's
opening set. I only saw the last few songs, but I
was instantly hooked and immediately bought a CD
after the show. It's been on frequent rotation for
the past week especially songs like "I Am The
Stereo." Imagine The Cars (check out "Tide In, Tide
Out") and Talking Heads (check out "Citizen")
deciding to play together (and the Crowded House and
Neil Finn influence has their place too). Don Cento
is a recent Austin transplant, although the rhythm
section is Dallas based. The songs have fun with its
influences while creating their own spin on
intelligent, fun pop-rock with plenty of groove and
soul.
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