In the Spring of 2008, I wrote about Pela, a Brooklyn-based five piece, playing an amazing live show characterized by addicting, vigorous, punk-rooted hooks and heartfelt vocals at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. It was a show to remember, because, while the show itself was fantastic, after it I shared drinks with the band and helped shut the bar down. Six years later, Billy McCarthy (vocals, guitar) and Eric Sanderson (bass, keyboards, vocals) moved on together from Pela to form Augustines with the addition of Rob Allen (drums).
With one very good album already to their name, Rise Ye Sunken Ships (2011), this year's self-titled album kicks it up a few significant notches. Passionate, sing-along choruses are strung together with tight hooks, and although no song shares the same stride, the album is truly a unitary whole. It soars at points and plucks heart strings at others - uplifting, then thoughtfully emotional, then back to uplifting - occasionally goose-bump and, perhaps, tear worthy. I have listened to this album more than I care to admit, but much of that is fueled by seeing Augustines live recently at The Independent (again in San Francisco), which was a live show, theatrical performance, and group therapy session all rolled into one. McCarthy leaves it all on the stage - blood. sweat, and tears - and I think this album channels that impassioned enthusiasm. Check the album out or watch some Live on KEXP below.
Halfway through the year, its time for the ubiquitous Top 5 list: 5) www.quickcritmusic.com... When awmercy first discussed his idea for this "writing group," I had a few doubts about its longevity and success; however, 5 months, 13 contributors, and thousands of page views later, the writing group is still going strong... and we have fun doing it too.
4) The Hold Steady – Stay Positive… I am most certainly on The Hold Steady train and although Stay Positive is not quite as magical as Boys and Girls in America, it is still fantastic... and so is their live show.
3) Pela @ Bottom of the Hill with The Love X Nowhere & Audio Out Send… All three bands played outstanding sets, were friendly after the show, and it all went down at one of my favorite venues... in the world.
2) The Heavy – Great Vengeance and Furious Fire… I am so stoked that Nutso reviewed this because I have loved listening to this album in all scenarios, sharing it with all comers, and getting down to it raw funkiness.
1) Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight... The primary album that I can listen to over and over so far this year. Current front-runner for album of the year.
There are some concerts that highlight a band’s weaknesses, exemplifying that their music requires the tender, adjusting touch of the studio—which is fine. And then there are some shows that truly accentuate a band’s excellence and prowess. Pela’s performance at Bottom of the Hill on Wednesday night was most certainly the latter. They played their songs off of Anytown Graffiti, and a few new tracks, with such vigor and intensity that it was almost as if they were doing crisp punk covers of their own songs. And goddammit it was fun! I got a workout just watching the band members jerk, jump, and rampage around the small stage. Frontman Bill McCarthy (who is apparently originally from Santa Cruz, and injured his hand rockin’ so hard that he fell off stage onto a pint glass before their previously scheduled show in San Francisco) belted the lyrics with such a playful passion and energy that it was hard not to feel a little envious of how much fun the band was having on stage. This band’s live performance is a must see for both fans and the unacquainted.
Also, Pela was prefaced by two very commendable Bay Area acts—San Francisco’s The Love X Nowhere (who sound similar to a psychedelic Muse and/or Keane, with an impressive female drummer, guitarist and lead vocalist) and Oakland’s Audio Out Send (who’s live performance reminds me of an amped up R.E.M. sound, but that’s probably because of the vocal similarities). Anyway, I would definitely pay to see them both play longer sets.
