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What’s the Deal: Leatherbag is the brainchild of super-busy Austin singer/songwriter Randy ‘Bag’ Reynolds. He’s released a few EPs and his debut full-length for Superpop Records, Nowhere Left to Run. Throughout the releases Reynolds has proven that he’s a powerful songwriting force whether he’s playing organic alt. country or garagey, folky rock, or whether he’s alone with his guitar or with a band behind him. Sometimes Reynolds has a strong Dylan-esque sound, but we won’t hold that against him, mainly because the music that accompanies it is enhancing and completely complementary.
“On Down The Line” starts out with some Bob-like vocals that, when they meet the fuzzy garage guitar track, makes for a sound that’s like a cordial, Sunday visit from an old friend. The background harmony unexpectedly comes in and blinds us all with retro-fitted brightness. Two tracks down on their MySpace page, “Tennessee” completely shifts gears. With slide guitar, cello, slow guitar plucks and a smokey, somber singer, Leatherbag makes a compelling case for this tune as one the most sentimental American folk songs of Austin’s local scene.
Something Interesting: Apart from Reynolds’ Leatherbag duties, he’s playing some noisy experimentalism in Diamondhead, he’s lending his chops to the Nace Family, and he’s collaborated with members of The Channel on a project called No Bridges to Cross that released a disc this past November.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “My Sister”
What’s the Deal: Who could resist checking out a band who have been described as “Abba meets The Muppets?” Not us. Not anyone, hopefully. They should really use this as a major selling point. You’d come for the curious novelty of such a comparison, but you will certainly stay for their herculean choral mastery and use of eclectic instruments in forging a sound that gets mightier with each successive harmony. Bodies of Water is like a supercharged, more radiant version of the Polyphonic Spree at times. But sometimes they resemble the soundtrack of a rock opera or grandiose indie rock under the influence of the occasional viola, organ, glockenspiel and trumpet. The group will be opening dates for Sons and Daughters in an upcoming tour beginning in March. Their debut album, Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink, is about to be re-released by Secretly Canadian on January 22nd.
“Doves Circle the Sky” off Eyes Will Pop starts with a galloping drum beat and undulating waves of overwhelming cross-gender choruses collide with your doubts and carry them away. Effervescent spurts of keys and some well-placed squeaks and whales of the viola lend a large amount of character to the track, and the breaks in song with guy/gal back-and-forth vocals are most welcome. You might have to brave some excessive ‘ooh’s and ‘ah’s, but it’s well worth it.
Something Interesting: They did a sweet and earnest cover of REM’s “Everybody Hurts” for Stereogum that could stand toe-to-toe with the original. No offense, Mike.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “These Are the Eyes” and “Everybody Hurts”
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