New To Know: Busses + La Strada + What Laura Says

I am beyond exhausted tonight after driving all over the North East this weekend for weddings, bachelor party crashing, charity walks and family time. Car listening included a whole lot of tunes I’m going to be sharing over the next few days but these three really stood out so, I could resist quickly pulling together a post before I collapse into a stone cold coma.

Busses

This Philly group has been itching to get some TWIAPC love for a while but they fabulous new eponymous record sealed the deal. On it, the trio keeps their loose ragged edges while giving their haunting lo fi music a holistic shape. Echoey jagged guitars scat in time with intense, almost tribal, percussion that leans on deceptively steady bass drum. The reserved howl of Busses’ lead singer Dave Brett often provides the frame in which the instrumentals find their context. The balance between Brett’s clean voice and the far more complex instrumentals sets a sonic trap to lure the listener. Once they hook you they pare it all down and prove that simplicity can be just as poignant as complicated arrangements. They’re celebrating their album release on May 13th at the Khyber.

[MP3] Housefire

La Strada

Listening to La Strada takes you on a trip through musical history; Strings represent a traditional chamber structure, unfussy guitars suggest a bit of doo wop  influence, group choruses -with a bit of accordion- enliven a gypsy folk vibe all tethered to the here and now with sing song confessional lead vocals. Their new LP New Home – partially recorded at Philly’s Minar Street Studio- captures the reverent spirit of the group’s sound. The nuances of each sonic variable is given a chance to shine without becoming muddied or overwhelming. La Strada’s music reflects a familiarity with a interesting assortment of historical generes which imparts a cinematic bent perfect for a Wes Anderson movie. They’re on a mini tour right now – sans Philly stop- but I hope they have plans to extend their schedule as I have heard great things about their live show. The album is out now and I suggest you nab yourself a copy.

[MP3] My New Home

What Laura Says

This Arizona quintet is known for dabbling in all sorts of psych rock roots antics. They have no problem cutting loose and letting their vocals screech over a rabid drum line that,  in turn, races a hyper guitar riff but their just as keen when slowly meandering through bluesy jam session. They maintain their sorted flavors on their new album Bloom Creek which travels a carefully constructed arc encompassing back woods chamber folk, dainty piano centered ditties and patiently rolling harmonies. What Laura Says’ unencumbered rootsy sound will draw a varied crowd and send everyone home pleased with what they heard. They are about to hit the road in support of Bloom Creek (sadly no Philly stop planned – yet) so if they’re passing through your neck of the woods well, you know what to do.

[MP3] I Suppose

*Photo by Jeff Ambrose

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