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The Lovely Feathers
For eccentric and quirky pop-rock, The Lovely Feathers deliver on all counts. They're from the same genes that sprung the Unicorns, but this band chose the path of a more complex, layered sound . Based out of Montreal, The Lovely Feathers are masters of tension-filled, stumbling rock borrowing from a diverse set of influences such as Television, Pavement, Talking Heads, The Pixies, and the Arcade Fire and aren't afraid to switch gears or change lanes without signaling. The Lovely Feathers have a way with absurdist song content, exacerbated by constant use of repetition, as they chant empty sentences ("I really, really, really, really like you" or "He gave me a fruit, and it still had a peel, still had a peel, still had a peel") or non sequitors ("She'll eat you up, she'll eat you up, she'll eat you up") until they become hypnotic. Songs start off as hammering guitar assaults and then swerve and backup into piano-driven jazz fests to power pop singalongs, always with a sorrowful, emotive piano in the background.
The chugging power of "Fudgicle" hits listeners in the face like a sack of bricks, then goes on and becomes permanently attached due to some magical stickiness formula straight from a secret government laboratory. The Lovely Feathers know exactly when to break out the frentic, catchy post-pink choruses and when to step back and take a deep breath, stepping expertly through slower, chunky passages, before plunging into the next hyperactive climax. The sad-sack ballad of "Orchid" starts off caressing and melancholy, takes then moves into jackhammer riff style, with jittery two part harmonies and a catchy, memorable two-tons-heavy indie rock hook. And "Only Appalachian Cornfield" rises up to a fever pitch with nervous pop energy, and punches me in the face, and I can only welcome the feeling. This is exuberant, strangely lovely music I can get behind.
This fresh and unique band have an official debut album called Hind Hind Legs out on Equator Records some time this April.
The Lovely Feathers - Fudgicle
The Lovely Feathers - Orchid
The Lovely Feathers - Only Appalachian Cornfield
The Lovely Feathers' official site. Buy My Best Friend Daniel from Amazon. They play Saturday, March 18 at 9:00 p.m. at Club de Ville.
Posted by Queen of the Front Row at 03.14.06 at 1:05 AM
Comments
You are right; these are some Lovely Feathers. Very cool shit. Thanks for the tracks, and thanks too for the quality writing, which gives a pretty accurate impression of the music (which meant the downloads weren't a waste of time).
Posted by: Eric Murphy at 03.14.06 at 3:40 AM
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