To that end, Walker shifts tempos and instrumentation and brings along the occasional guest. 'Two Can Play' opens with a gorgeous, dreamy groove, and soon Walker and Nikki Monninger of Dangerbird labelmates Silversun Pickups are finishing each other's soft-sung verses. The haunting organ sound on 'Stranger Calliope' was achieved via a Casiotone keyboard layered over a live flautist. Songs build momentum from one to the next with meticulous track sequencing; drama is evoked not through volume or intensity but subtle counterpoints in composition. There's a gentle, knowing tension to the music that speaks to the bittersweet push and pull of everyday living and dying.
"I see a lot of these songs as being really positive," Walker says. "Instead of 'Woe is me,' I'm lifting myself up and I'm trying to share that a little bit. In general the subject matter can be dark, talking about loss or being alone, but really it's all optimistic."
The result is melancholy music that's upbeat, a record of specific personal intent that speaks to us all. Eulogies offers catharsis; a musical tradition that's ageless and inviolate. 'Here, Anonymous' snatches a moment out of that continuum for us to share, here and now.
The band has recorded unplugged versions of 5 tracks from the record, dubbed ‘The Homespun Sessions' and is making them all available for free on the internet. My Old Kentucky Blog is currently hosting all 5 tracks on their site.
Spinner.com is currently hosting a listening party for the full album, head there now to hear the album in its entirety.
US Tour w/ The Dears
The band has hit the road in support of 'Here, Anonymous'. They are currently wrapping up a tour with Bad Veins, and after a short respite, they embark on yet another cross-country tour, this time with Great Northern and The Dears. The band will have criss-crossed the country three times in as many months. Jack Kerouac, eat your heart out.
For those who still want more Eulogies, band-leader Peter Walker's tune ‘39 Stars' was just featured in the Oscar-nominated film, 'The Wrestler'. Watch the music video here.
Tour w/ Bad Veins
April 7, 2009 || Replay Lounge || Lawrence, KS
April 8, 2009 || Larimer Lounge || Denver, CO TONIGHT!!!!
Tour w/ The Dears & Great Northern
May 1, 2009 || Bell House || Brooklyn, NY
May 2, 2009 || Valentines || Albany, NY
May 4, 2009 || Bowery Ballroom || New York, NY
May 5, 2009 || Johnny Brenda's || Philadelphia, PA
May 7, 2009 || Black Cat || Washington D.C.
May 8, 2009 || Diesel || Pittsburgh, PA
May 9, 2009 || Grog Shop || Cleveland, OH
May 10, 2009 || Skully's || Columbus, OH
May 11, 2009 || Magic Stick || Detroit
May 13, 2009 || Lakeshore Theater || Chicago, IL
May 14, 2009 || Mojo's || Columbia, MO
May 16, 2009 || Hailey's || Denton, TX
May 17, 2009 || Warehouse || Houston, TX
May 18, 2009 || Parish || Austin, TX
May 21, 2009 || Rhythm Room || Phoenix, AZ
May 22, 2009 || Casbah || San Diego, CA
May 23, 2009 || Echoplex || Los Angeles, CA
May 24, 2009 || Independent || San Francisco, CA
May 26, 2009 || Douglas Fir Lounge || Portland, OR
May 27, 2009 || Crocodile Cafe || Seattle, WA
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