I may have a new favorite band of 2006

There's this CD I got a while back that's been sitting on my cluttered desk at home for I don't know how long. It would always catch my eye, never got around to listening to it. Had no reason to, really, as I am very behind in the new music department as it is and, while I had gotten some emails and seen a few blog mentions here and there, it was nothing that really made them stand out.

I'm not sure what it was exactly that got me to finally listen. I must have read something in passing that sparked an interest. But when I got home last night, I made a point to get my ears on this thing. And, only about half way through the album, I started IMing friends telling them to listen to these guys. I was completely hooked. This is one of the best things I've heard all year. Mark my words.

I even woke up this morning looking forward to put it on again while I was getting ready to goto work. I can't even remember the last time I was this excited about a new band. What makes it so great? Well, let me try to explain. It has that Chicago sound. That experimental yet accessible Chin Up Chin Up/Fiery Furnaces/Kinsella type thing. It doesn't sound like anything else, but reminds me of about 2 dozen of my favorite bands. Everything from TV on the Radio to Modest Mouse to Joan of Arc to The Twilight Singers to Wolf Parade, Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Bright Eyes, Chin Up Chin Up...the list goes on and on. It takes from every indie reference point, bends each slightly and puts it back out there. There's even a killer hip hop worthy album intro that rips right into the TVotR-covering-Disco-Sheets sounding jam, "Andover'. From there, it's all aces through the end.

Like I said, I haven't spent much time with this record, and maybe I'll end up second guessing myself down the line, but I don't think so. It's love at first sight. I keep finding something new with each listen. It's easy to play, tough to master. Recommended to anyone who likes anything. Seriously.

Bound Stems - Andover (mp3)
Bound Stems - Western Biographic (mp3)
Bound Stems - Refuse the Refuse (mp3)

They're playing Merc tomorrow night at 11:00. Highly anticipated.

Comments

[Patrick Southern]

Those tracks were pretty good - thanks for the reccomendation. I see hear the MM comparison for sure.

[Raizza]

it's great that you mentioned broken social scene. that girl, lisa lobsinger, i think is reuniting with her previous band, Reverie Sound Revue. They're hoping to come out with a record by 2007 and if their songs are even better than their last 2003 recordings...RSR may become my new favorite band of 2007.

[Raizza]

i love what they did for their photoshoot

[Ryan]

I'll add The National to your list for good measure (especially on Andover). Can't wait to see Bound Stems and Maritime at Mercury.

[Creativexuc]

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