Fresh Track: PAPA “Put Me to Work”
A while back, we featured Los Angeles’ PAPA as a Band to Watch on the merit of their sensational, five-track EP A Good Woman is Hard to Find. The soulful indie rockers have returned with the up-tempo first single from their forthcoming debut LP, due out sometime in 2013. Centered around bassist Daniel Presant and drummer/lead singer Darren Weiss, “Put Me to Work” finds the band delving into power pop territory behind an energetic plea for the opportunity to earn a keep. Weiss writes directly to his own circumstance as a performer in the song’s chorus, repeating “I wanna see the lights / Put me to work tonight.” Though the track lacks any overt political message, I can’t help but make the correlation between its subject and one of the season’s hottest election topics – jobs.
Ironically, the multi-instrumentalist Weiss had previously served as the drummer for the now defunct band Girls. His former bandmate Christopher Owens also released a new single yesterday in “Here We Go.” As is often the case, both acts appear destined to prove that sometimes two bands ain’t so bad after all. Listen and download “Put Me to Work” for free, below.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Christopher Owens “Here We Go”
After the the unbridled success of 2011 Girls LP Father, Son, Holy Ghost, it appeared as if the stars were aligning for the San Francisco duo led by Christopher Owens. Just as the duo’s stock reached its peak, Owens announced in July that he would walk away from the project. Fans were left in limbo, awaiting the songwriter’s next move.
Yesterday, Owens reassured listeners that the wait would be brief with the announcement of his solo record Lysandre, due to drop on Fat Possum in mid-January (pre-order). With the announcement came the release of the album’s first single “Here We Go.” Owens’ sedated delivery, reminiscent of late indie rock Eeyore Elliot Smith, sounds at home against the track’s rolling, acoustic arpeggios. Flourishes of flute and a few whistling bars on harmonica add color to an otherwise bleak landscape. Here, we find Owens on a trip to New York City hoping to be welcomed with open arms and minds. The track is nothing short of gorgeous. Listen to “Here We Go” and check out the track listing for Lysandre below.
Connect with Christopher Owens via Facebook | Twitter
Track List
1 Lysandre’s Theme
2 Here We Go
3 New York City
4 A Broken Heart
5 Here We Go Again
6 Riviera Rock
7 Love Is in the Ear of the Listener
8 Lysandre
9 Everywhere You Knew
10 Closing Theme
11 Part of Me (Lysandre’s Epilogue)
Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Letting Up Despite Great Faults “Scratch”
Austin, Texas dreampoppers Letting Up Despite Great Faults released their sophomore LP Untogether earlier this month as the follow up to 2009’s self-titled debut. While I have yet to get my hands on it, the few songs that have been floating around the interwebs are absolutely stellar and worthy of your attention. The group’s sound is reminiscent of personal favorite The Radio Dept., packing the same tranquil vibes that make any day better. “Scratch”, the second track on the new album, features an airy 80’s gloss to it and can be streamed below. If you like what you hear, pick up a digital or physical copy via the group’s BandCamp page.
Connect with Letting Up Despite Great Faults via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 