New mpfrees from a not-so-secret source
By WILL SPITZ | January 25, 2006
The indie label Secretly Canadian, which is secretly based in Indiana and has put out a number of stellar releases by the likes of Songs: Ohia and Scout Niblett, got a publicity boost when Antony and the Johnsons’ SC release I Am a Bird Now won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize last year. Here are tunes from some of SC’s promising releases on the way in early 2006.
Catfish Haven, "Please Come Back" |Chicago’s Catfish Haven, named for the Missouri trailer park where singer/guitarist George Hunter grew up, make a lotta noise for just acoustic guitar, bass, and drums. Hunter’s soulful, pleading wail and Ryan Farnham’s driving Motown backbeat will make you wanna cry or dance . . . or both.
I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness, "According to Plan" |Despite the clunky name, the Britt Daniel–approved ILYBICD do a lean take on brooding, electro-inflected, minor-key pop. Their first full-length, Fear Is on Our Side, comes out in March.
Swearing at Motorists, "Northern Line" |The Dayton twosome Swearing at Motorists have more in common with Local H than with bluesier guitar-and-drums duos the White Stripes and the Black Keys. Grungy power chords and lo-fi drums buoy frontman Dave Doughman’s bittersweet melodies on this track from their forthcoming Last Night Becomes This Morning.
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On the Web:
Secretly Canadian: http://www.secretlycanadian.com
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