Minus The Bear - Vaiduct

Minus The Bear is good. Really, really good. They might be my all time favorite band. No joke. They’re like the perfect blend of dad rock and prog rock and they light up every part of my brain when I listen to them. They’re like the ultimate elevator music meets rock soundtrack to Tron if they never went into the computer. They’re like some of my favorite old school bands—Visage, Heaven 17, Spandau Ballet—if they were still around today. But better. They’re like a terrific Roger Zelazny or Ursula K. Le Guin book cover, or like old school D&D modules. They ultra modern and old school at the same time and their music reminds me of all the places I’ve ever lived or travelled. Mostly because they’ve been in my ears so much.

As with most good things that don’t last, MTB have recently announced they’re wrapping things up. Luckily for fans like me, they’ve released some terrific new music—like today’s Most Important and the rest of the Fair Enough EP—and are performing a farewell tour. I can’t wait to see them here in Austin next month and give them a proper send off.

(And, yeah, I’ve got fingers solidly crossed for a reunion tour. You know it.)

Upcoming shows

Restorations - The Red Door

The first two cuts from Restorations upcoming album LP5000 are pure post-rock Americana gold. Today’s Most Important, “The Red Door”, is a well painted and compelling look into the inexorable gentrification of American cities and “Nonbeliever” another side to that coin; a tale of work, family and growing up in America. I’ve spent a bit of time lately looking into their back catalog and it’s also terrific. Their new album is out soon, on Tiny Engines, of course.

Upcoming Shows

Family Fold - Molly Meldrum's Eyes

Family Fold is Australian artist Paul Andrews, formerly of Lazy Susan. I’d never heard of Lazy Susan, but I guess they were making the rounds on the Australian indy circuit for awhile. No, I discovered Family Fold randomly whilst out bar hopping my last trip to Sydney. And I’m glad I did. I greatly enjoyed Lustre Glo, and the single “Get a Grip Upon Yourself”, which is a raucous anthem, that reminded me right away of Ted Leo, one of my favorites. That feeling continues with his latest, “Molly Meldrum’s Eyes”. That His new album, Ashfield Skyline, is coming out in a couple weeks and if prior art is any indication, it’s going to be warm, pleasant and a joy to listen to.

Upcoming shows