The Faint - Young & Realistic

Your lows were low, I was familiar
Bulgarian choirs in your head
The clouds were black but not forever
You'll wake up better like I said
Remember how it was when we first met
It was impossible to know what you were thinking
Every other girl, afraid of the world
Second-guessing every movement that they're making

You're not the type to go looking for flaws
You don't have to skewer somebody's passion
Competitive cats can fight cats
While you're in a deep conversation

I'm a big fan of The Faint's work, but, sadly I guess, they've been mostly slipping past my radar for years. I've given their last few albums a cursory listen, and I've seen them a couple times. Which is always a blast. But I felt they've never been able to capture the fun, late 80's awesomeness they had with Blank Wave Arcade, Danse Macabre and, maybe a bit less so, Wet From Birth.

Still, feeling nostalgic, I checked out their retrospective album Capsule:1999-2016 for fun. And look what I found! I a couple new songs that DO, very much so, capture that sound. First up, our Most Important today. "Young & Realistic" is Danse Macabre The Faint, striking a great balance between song and dance. It's got all the bells and whistles; a lilting bassline, pew-pew synths, robo vocals, dark wave breakdowns, etc. Red Flag would be proud to have released this one. 

BONUS TRACK

Then there is "Skylab1979" that hits on a more straightforward industrial sound, that might not quite ring as true as "Young & Realistic" but makes for a fun throwback, for sure.

Upcoming Shows

Neon Indian - Polish Girl

With heat struck afternoons long through
Those idle dreams go back to you
The echo's seem somewhat displaced
Ever further from your face, I'm drifting off to
Bored of mere flirtations
That's what's made of constellations that I've sought
Was this only in my head
Just like most things go misread
When overthought

Mexican-American Alan Paloma grew up just down the street, so to speak, in San Antonio. He was making music under a couple of other names/bands before and concurrent with Neon Indian, which was the most successful. (Pitchfork listed the debut album in the top 20 of that year.) But "success" isn't always the goal of artist, we know, and Alan is on the fence about continuing to record as Neon Indian... he'd like to pursue filmmaking. So, let's check out his direction in this retro-look video for "Annie", which is also my fav single off the most recent album. 

Oh, but I'm super stoked to be seeing him (and band, including his brother on bass) tonight at the Mohawk! Glad they haven't quit the scene just yet. 

Upcoming Shows

Cottonwood Firing Squad - Caskets

I will wait for you through the ocean
I will wait for you through the sea
I will wait for you by the back door
If you'll wait there for me
Tomorrow's another chance to get high all on my own
Tomorrow's another chance to show you how it feels
How it feels to be alone
No one in this world can hold a candle up to you (x3)

Cottonwood Firing Squad has no current tour dates, no social media presence, no web page, no press (except one blog, similar to ours, that also mentions not being able to find any info on the artist). All I know for sure is that CFS seems to be one guy in Victorville, California. In this modern era of self publishing on Soundcloud, YouTube, and Spotify, he's managing to get heard from the middle of nowhere, without so much as a tweet. The title of his first EP made me laugh out loud (Wyoming and Other Songs to Kill Yourself To). I'd like to think he's cheered up for his first full length album released this summer (SIX) though it does include titles such as "Snuffing Out the Flame" and this one, "Caskets." But don't worry, it didn't bring me down at all! Experimental folk music, he tags it. Hard to pin down beyond "indie" some tracks are more beachy, pop-rock, a few lean hard on the folk/true country vibe. Hope this guy sticks around, he's an enjoyable afternoon of listening for sure. 

Upcoming Shows

Braid - East End Hollows

To be the one who never lets you go.
To be the one who never lets you fall.
To be the one who comes back home to you.
To be the one who calls you "home."
To be the one who keeps your chorus on.
To be the one who keeps you cornered.
To be the one who never lets you down.

Originally formed over ten years ago, Braid has been an on-again, off-again player on the indie punk scene. I missed their 2014 release No Coast and was a bit surprised when I stumbled somewhat blindly across "East End Hollows", looked to see who it was and saw Braid, a band I'd thought didn't exist anymore. No Coast is a solid album, and I'd consider it very true to their sound, which can be described as intelligent, emotional and enjoyable rock that kinda of just sticks with you. "East End Hollows", today's featured track, is the best of that sound, and a song that recalls what it's like to fall, and then stay, in love.

Upcoming Shows

Eisley - Defeatist

I may have faltered in my life
But not with you, I couldn't make this up
I've had trouble disengaging my heart but I'll bite the grenade pin out

I fell in love with Texas family band Eisley years ago, back when I lived in Seattle. I saw them open for (someone I can't recall now, ha) and was instantly hooked by the beautiful, haunting and somewhat surreal melodies and vocals. I devoured The Valley when it came out and Currents is one of my all time favorites. I Still listen to it all the time, and that's a bit rare for me as I'm always hunting for the new and shiny.

Speaking of new and shiny, I'm digging "Defeatist", their new single, and I'm excited to get more new stuff from them. We're seeing them tonight with The Dear Hunter and I couldn't be more jazzed. If you get a chance you should as well.

Upcoming Shows