'Here, Anonymous', the new album from LA cereb-rock outfit Eulogies, sees the light of day today, April 7th. Band leader Peter Walker says of the album, "We're not just going in and recording an A-side and a B-side. I love to put a record on and that's the feeling I'm gonna get for 40 minutes. But it's gotta be exciting, too."
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.
Check them out tonight at The Larimer Lounge.
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
The last time I saw these guys was when they opened for Editors, I am loving the new album and looking forward to this show.stellastarr* is headed back on the road this fall, crisscrossing the country and playing small club shows from Boston to LA, as well as New York's Bowery Ballroom, the site of many past renowned stellastarr* gigs. Stay tuned for news coming soon on a new single to be released in conjunction with these shows.
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