No Silver, No Gold, No Culture Icons
The Baptist Generals' album No Silver, No Gold was something that Jay turned me on to a while back, and it is perfect summer music. It's kind of akin to Iron and Wine, with equal part backwoods country songs and simple folk ballads, but instead of the melodically whispered vocals and expertly fingerpicked guitar lines, it's got more of a drunken, gruff voiced rambling quality to it. Beneath the rough exterior are some really beautiful songs, though. This one is one of my favorites.
Baptist Generals - Going Back Song
The Thermals are another Sub Pop band that perhaps deserves more recognition than they've had. They remind me of a kind of Pinkerton era Weezer, but with a rougher Guided By Voices feel to their songs. Based on Weezer's recent trend towards crapiness, it's pretty clear that someone like the Thermals are more necessary than ever. Their Fuckin' A album was one of my most listened to albums from last year, probably because it made for perfect driving music.
The Thermals - No Culture Icons
The Thermals - How We Know
------
Lori @ Outfox set us in this photo she took of the show that I was rambling about(in the comments) at the department of saftey, which is by the way one of the best places on earth to see a show. I had forgotten that Ian was at the show with me, but here is photographic proof, he is in the bottom left corner.
-jay
posted by ian at 1:04 PM
3 Comments:
No Cultural Icons really does have a GBV feel! I like it!
Ah the generals! they were really great live, they played without microphones. The bass player was playing one of those mexican acoustic bass guitar type things that you see in mariachi bands. I spoke to him about it and he said he had to drive south into mexico to buy it(from denton texas, home of the inspiration of 'all hail west texas'). Due to their microphoneless aproach, and I think some hard drinking, the singer was also loosing his voice after playing many days straight, but it sounded good that way. It was an amazing show.
Yeah, I forgot about that show when they warmed up for the Mountain Goats in Anacortes. That was a great show.
That Baptist Generals song is outstanding, and I had never heard of them. I was more than seduced enough to find and dl their last album, but while I was initially seduced (and scoping out eshops for purchase), my enthusiasm waned. It's just not as good as it ought to be. Do you know if their first album ("Dogs", I think) is any good?
Their website says they're working on something new... I am excited to hear it.
Post a Comment
<< Home