Le Diamant Brut: The Black Lips & Drew Smith's Lonely Choir
What’s the Deal: Giving generally good music a label is no fun. It’s usually inaccurate, and it’s always limiting. When you encounter groups like Drew Smith’s Lonely Choir, the best thing to do is just say it’s an amalgamation of so many of the good aspects of several genres like rock, indie, blues even jazz. But, if you want the best description, you have got to check out the Austin group during South by.
“Are You Lonely” is a great example of a mix of multiple sounds, not competing, but working together to fill out the music and create a compounded experience. There’s a very strong melodic component with complementary tones in the guitar and keys, and there’s also a lounge feel to the snappy, rattling drums and piano. Then, the bluesy horns blast throughout give it all a sense of pomp and class.
Something Interesting: You can catch them playing Antone’s February 26th at the Best of Austin Music Volume 8 CD release party.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “NYC Song” and “Nilsson Sings Newman”
What’s the Deal: So, these rambunctious garage rockers are by no means below the radar these days, and they barely fall into the category of emerging bands. They’ve appeared in major music mags and have been all over the blogosphere for some time now. But, they’re still pretty rough around the edges. That’s one of the things that makes them worthy and unique. And, if you’re coming out during South by this year, you might just get a glimpse of their roughness first-hand, an experience which could include the guitarist exposing himself and trying to play guitar with his “equipment”. Reportedly, this is what happened very recently during a tour in India. The crowd didn’t respond well to it, and according to reports, the promoter stopped the tour. On the bright side though, the group has begun recording with King Khan & BBQ, a collaboration which could only bear some very rowdy, energetic, vintage rock and roll fruit.
Their live shows are obviously a point of interest for fans and anyone in favor of controversy, unexpected hijinks and utter insanity. But, their recordings are no joke. “Short Fuse” is one of the tracks from their upcoming album, 200 Million Thousand, which is already available to hear online. And, like usual, it’s the perfect blend of gritty and refined. The guitars, drums and vocals have a very organic flow with low production, but the song craft is so strong that it’s obvious they put a lot of thought and care in the music they make. If you’re just starting out in your appreciation of the Lips, you should at least go back and start with tracks like “Navajo” or “Cold Hands” or anything at all off Good Bad Not Evil.
Something Interesting: Rumors say the EP that the Lips are working on with King Khan & BBQ will be out March 16th. Their new album, 200 Million Thousand, will be out February 24th.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “O Katrina!” and “Starting Over”
