I want to listen to The Broken West all weekend long, maybe until my eardrums crystallize into sugar
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They used to be called The Brokedown but had to surrender the name in a nasty battle of the indie rockers - who had it first? As frontman Ross Flournoy said, "We're a real band, with a real record coming out, so we don't have a lot of time for frivolous lawsuits with wayward Nazi-youth punk bands. So we changed it." They became The Broken West and are still astoundingly good. Definitely, definitely get this album.
So It Goes - The Broken West
The most Teenage Fanclub-like song I've heard in a while, a shimmery and jangly power pop delight.
Down In The Valley - The Broken West
And this is the one I have listened to as if it were aural meth, the one I can't stop singing (even though I haven't figured out what they're saying yet, so it's an interesting effort). I exult in its cohesive and delicious harmonies when it breaks at around 50 seconds in. And handclaps! Love it. A welcome reprise from their 2005 EP Dutchman's Gold.
You can stream their whole album here, or buy it here. Listen to live renditions of two other songs from a recent performance on NPR, or tune in to KEXP.org Friday Feb. 9th at 4pm for their appearance at their studios.
THE BROKEN WEST -- TOUR DATES
01.29.2007 Los Angeles CA - Spaceland
02.05.2007 San Francisco CA - Cafe Du Nord
02.07.2007 Eugene OR - Sam Bond's Garage (w/ Hello Stranger)
02.08.2007 Portland OR - Doug Fir (w/ Quasi & All Smiles)
02.09.2007 Seattle WA - Sunset Tavern
02.10.2007 Government Camp OR - The Ratskeller
02.12.2007 Salt Lake City UT - Kilby Court
02.13.2007 Denver CO - Hi Dive
02.15.2007 Phoenix AZ - Modified (w/ The Autumn Defense)
02.24.2007 Tucson AZ - Plush
02.27.2007 Austin TX - Emo's
02.28.2007 Dallas TX - The Cavern
03.01.2007 Memphis TN - Hi Tone
03.02.2007 Columbia MO - Mojo's
03.03.2007 Iowa City IA - The Picador
03.05.2007 Cleveland Heights OH - Grog Shop
03.07.2007 Cambridge MA - TT the Bear's
03.08.2007 New York NY - Bowery Ballroom
All following dates with The Walkmen and Ferraby Lionheart
03.09.2007 Baltimore MD - Ottobar
03.10.2007 Columbus OH - Little Brothers
03.11.2007 Chicago IL - Schuba's Tavern
03.12.2007 Newport KY - Southgate House
03.13.2007 Louisville KY - Headliners Music Hall
03.18.2007 New Orleans LA - The Parish at House of Blues
03.19.2007 Tallahassee FL - Beta Bar
03.20.2007 Athens GA - 40 Watt Club
03.21.2007 Asheville NC - Grey Eagle
03.22.2007 Chapel Hill NC - Local 506
03.23.2007 Washington DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
Labels: the broken west
5 Comments:
hey kids, if you like these tunes, the broken west is doing an acoustic set on my show this wednesday 2-4 pm PST. dig.
oh yeah, and that would be at www.littleradio.com
I'm blown away. I'm a tough sell, too. This is the kind of band that makes you want to coin a new music review cliche, or redefine an old one:
"Once in a while, a new band comes along that reminds you why you love music in the first place."
Any band that draws a reference to Superdrag deserves a chance in my book. I'm really digging "Down in The Valley" a lot.
Still prefer the simpler. more power-poppy version of 'Down in the Valley' from the Lost Trailers, but this cd's growing on me. Wotta blog!
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