ALBUM REVIEW: Futurebirds, Baba Yaga

The second and latest Futurebirds is out, and folks, it’s a good ‘un. Their quintessentailly Athenian sound blends stoner country rock with good ole southern charm, like a pot-smoking Old 97’s or Uncle Tupelo raised on the internet. There are plenty of different sounds floating around though – ‘The Light’ is countrified Real Estate territory, and ‘Death Awaits’ practically snuck over here from My Morning Jacket’s ‘The Tennessee Fire’. Basically, if you like pedal steel, this one’s for you.

For a band just offering up their sophomore release, they sound road-wearier than Willie Nelson. Their mellow, meandering lyrics echo the sentiments of many of the college students they share a town with: the desire to be a rebel with too many means to do so properly (“I wanna be an American cowboy / And I ain’t never ran away” from American Cowboy), or the fear that one’s youth is being wasted (“We’ve been burning too long / Don’t wanna sleep the night away” from Virginia Slims). Any college student with a southern soul and trepidation of the future can get behind this band – keep these birds on your radar.

-Kelsey Butterworth

Performing live at 9:30 Club on May 23rd.

SHOW PREVIEW: The Feelies

Been in the mood for a chill night involving good craft brews and great music? My friend, you have come to the right place. Prepare yourself for an evening of Dogfish Head craft beers and seminal indie rockers The Feelies. If you haven’t experienced them yet, imagine combining mid-aughts power pop rock with Brooklynite rhythms jacked straight from a Strokes record – except The Feelies are actually from the 70s. Think Calexico in the big city (the big city being D.C.). Strummy, jammy indie rock that’s still inordinately relevant in our post-post-punk NYC-brushed world. These guys are the reason bands like Weezer and Local Natives exist, and 40 years after their CBGB stints they haven’t lost a beat. Do not miss.

-Kelsey Butterworth