Show Pics: Dan Mangan and Blind Pilot @ The Parish

Dan Mangan opened for Blind Pilot. This is a great pairing which caused a packed-house sell-out. There were a few sing-alongs to go along with all of the great music. I was on hand to get some photos of the show and because both bands are full of musicians that take their performance seriously, I left a fan of both bands. It doesn’t hurt that the show was perfectly paired with its venue, The Parish.

So more on the show and plenty of images after the break…

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Crooked Fingers – Breaks in the Armor

Rating: ★★★½☆

Our knowledge of Eric Bachmann predominantly resides in his roll as the main man in Archers of Loaf, but as years have gone by, Eric’s crafted some beautiful records.  Some have been under his own name, but most have come via the Crooked Fingers moniker, and Breaks in the Armor might just be his best non-AoL record yet.

Bachmann has this greatly affecting voice, and it’s this voice that carries album opener, “Typhoon.”  Musically, the song has this dark trickling guitar line, which fits the vocal nicely, as Eric’s voice has this deep wooded quality to it.  By the time we move into the second track, “Bad Blood,” you get two things that Breaks in the Armor is really all about, Backmann’s storytelling, and this sort of alt-country, middling between mellow rocker and Americana.

But, while those elements definitely earn their keep throughout the entirety of this record, there are quieter moments for which I’ve always appreciated Eric’s solo work, especially with Crooked Fingers.  “The Hatchet” is little more than a slow-picked ballad, with Bachmann doing his best to yank at your emotions through the power of his voice.  It’s similar to Merge Records label-mate Richard Buckner, using little more than the vocal to evoke maximum emotion. “Heavy Hours” also lives in this same vein, although you’ll find a bit more of a lush arrangement helping to carry the harmony along, not to mention the help of Liz Durrett on backing duties. For some reason, this track sounds a whole lot like Bill Callahan, not that there’s really any need for comparisons, since Mr. B has been around for so long–perhaps it should go the other way!  If you’re not sure which side to take, listen to “Our New Favorite,” the album closer, before you make up your own mind.

One of the best things on Breaks in the Armor, aside from the emotional storytelling, are those semi-rockers that pop up here and there. “The Counterfeiter” is a gem of a track, and it picks up a rolling movement from the get-go.  In the end, Eric belts his way in and out of the chorus, but in doing so with Durrett (again) he maximizes the song’s emotive quality.  He even has a bit of fun, throwing a little “whoo” in the middle of the track.  These little flourishes have been present throughout the Crooked Fingers period, but it’s the lush arrangements that accompany songs like “Your Apocalypse” that really show the growth  in Bachmann’s writing and recording.

The release date of this record seems perfect, as fall begins to creep into our lives, bringing cooler weather and darker days. Breaks in the Armor is filled with introspective stories, allowing you to search on your own during those days when the rain keeps you inside.  For a man with such a rich musical history, Bachmann’s work with Crooked Fingers only seems to be improving with each continued release.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Crooked-Fingers-Typhoon.mp3]

Download: Crooked Fingers – Typhoon [MP3]

Show Preview: Crooks @ Threadgill’s (10/7)

Date 10/7/11
Location Threadgills
Doors 8pm
Tickets $5 @ Door

Here’s a quick friendly reminder about the awesome show we are helping sponsor this evening at Threadgill’s south.  The show features promising local up and comers Crooks, Guns of Navarone, and Whitman.  Don’t forget that things get started fairly early with openers Whitman kicking things off at 9pm.  Also make sure you check out the free 3 song sampler featuring tunes from all performing bands over on our bandcamp page.  See you kids there.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Austin-Town-Hall-I-Bid-You-Farewell.mp3]

Download: Guns of Navarone – I Bid You Farewell [MP3]

Poppy New Single from The Echo Friendly

Perhaps we get burdened by the endless stream of love songs on the Interwebs, but this new single is really winning me over.  The Echo Friendly just released this new single from their album Same Mistakes, which you can pick up on Cantora Records now, and it’s a gem of a track.  Trading vocal duties between male and female vocalists, bits of atmospheric feedback, and a nice little stomping groove to keep everything moving along .  This is a perfect tune to wrap up your Friday listening experience, so I hope you enjoy it.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/theechofriendly_boats.mp3]

Download: The Echo Friendly – Boats [MP3]

Weekend Punk Shows in Austin

We all know that I’m a lover of the punk rock, and I just wanted to share some excellent shows about town this weekend highlighting the good old fashioned rock n’ roll for you.  Below is a quick list of some shows worthy of your attention.

Friday: Curtis James & Grape Street @ Skinny’s Ballroom – FREE!!!

Saturday: Bad Sports, Act Rights – Matinne Show @ 1 PM @ Beerland

Mind Spiders, Birthday Suits, Shit Creek, @ Beerland

John Coleman, Rhett & Dean, Bang B. Theodores @ Frontier Bar

Just a quick list, but some killer shows you should check out.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bad_sports_teenage_girls.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bad_sports_teenage_girls.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/01-John-Wesley-Coleman-Track01.mp3]

New Rocker from Radical Dads

Didn’t these guys just put out a record? Well, if you listened to Mega Rama, you might not know what to think when you get this solid little jam.  It reminds me of the furious moments of Les Savy Fav back in the days of Go Forth, but that’s probably wishful thinking.  The band’s Skateboard Bulldog 7″ will be out later this year, but we’ve got the track to rock you right now.  From the minute it kicks off, it’s geared at rocking you right out of your chair.  Quick and to the point, you won’t be able to catch your breath before this number ends. Well played Radical Dads.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/RadicalDads-SkateboardBulldog.mp3]

Download: Radical Dads – Skateboard Bulldog [MP3]

Show Preview: Peter Wolf Crier @ Lambert’s (10/7)

Date 10/7/11
Location Lambert’s
Doors 10pm
Tickets $10 @ Frontgate

Great show going down tomorrow night at Lambert’s featuring a dual headlining spot by Peter Wolf Crier and Milagres.  Both of these bands have been readily spotlighted on ATH over the years so we are obviously pumped for the show.  I’m not seeing any word about opening support so I’m not sure if you’ll get one of those or not.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/settlingitoff.mp3]

Download: Peter Wolf Crier – Settling it Off [MP3]

New Music From The Hours

UK rock band The Hours have always been on my radar since I caught their live show in 2009 during SXSW.  It’s crazy that I’ve never put up any of their music on the site since then so word of new tunes from the band makes for the right time.  The new song we’ve got streaming below is called “I Want More” and appears on the bands new EP of same name due out November 1st on Adeline Records.  Let us know what ya think.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/IWantMore_RadioEdit.mp3]

Download: The Hours – I Want More [MP3]

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