Record Store Day 2010, which goes down on April 17th, is less than a month away. For the vinyl nerds out there, this means a day of desperately hunting for those limited edition LPs and 45s. But also, it also mean bands performing at Generation Records. The Bouncing Souls played RSD at the store last year and I think this year will be just as awesome, if not better!
See the bands after the jump!
The Obits have quickly become a favorite here at Late Night Wallflower so we were pumped to see that they are on the first episode of season 2 of VBS.tv‘s fabulous practice space. Check out the video below and enjoy.
The Obits frontman Rick Froberg (formally of revered bands like Hot Snakes/Drive Like Jehu) has stated in interviews that his new project isn’t trying to reinvent the musical wheel. You can’t really argue against this sentiment after hearing the band’s debut album I Blame You (Sub Pop). But, hey, sometimes, innovation can be overrated. Consistency is the key and The Obits have mastered that good ol’ punk ‘n’ roll sound. And my friends, there is nothing like punk ‘n’ roll when it’s done just right, in my fair opinion. It’s like what Eddie Argos of Art Brut says on his band’s new album “Marvel Comics and chocolate milkshakes, some things will always be great.”
But there is something contained within these songs that could appeal to any rocker, whatever the background. Froberg’s usual screeching guitar riffs and angsty, shouted vocals are, naturally, present but there are somewhat surprising influences. In fact, the vocals feel somewhat soulful. Think The Wipers mixed with some Brian Jones-era Stones grooves.
The album thrives on it’s bare-boned approach, solid production and sequencing (via producer Sanoff-Janney)and blistering tunes. The intensity of the one-two punch of “Widow of My Dreams” and “Pine On” is off the charts. The band gets the ball rolling early on for sure and despite the cover’s warnings of the tunes being “xtra compressed for maximum listener fatigue,” I never felt worn out.
But the highlight of the record comes with the closer “Back and Forth.” Some band’s try so hard to write anthematic arena-rocking numbers and yet, it seems so natural to The Obits. It’s fist-pumping anthem for a generation that comes off as sometimes being a bit too timid to write a song for the nosebleed seats. I heard this song and thought that is should be The Obits selling out MSG, not Kings of Leon.
The Obits have unleashed quite a marvelous debut. An early contender for album of the year in my book thus far. You can check out “Pine On” below.
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All pictures by Linda Wildemann
Here are some pictures Linda took of the The Obits from their show at The Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 19th. I can’t wait to hear some recorded material from this band because they are freakin’ incredible live. They are playing with The Night Marchers on December 17th at NYC’s Santo’s Party House. You should probably cancel all your plans and go see what is sure to be one of the best shows of the year.
The Obits, the new band from Drive Like Jehu/Hot Snakes’ Rick Froberg, have signed to Sub Pop. They will release their debut album sometime in 2009. This should definitely be one of the most anticipated records of 2009.
