Hemmingbirds - Death Wave

Death Wave is comprised of fully realized indie pop songs that have subtle influences of jazz influenced rock (math,progressive) that seamlessly meet with indie pop sounds akin to Decemberists and Arcade Fire. This album has really good production and never loses it's focus, quite an achievement over the span of 10 songs. Chicago based Hemmingbirds should be proud of this album that places them firmly on the list of great Chicago indie bands. The band originally began as a solo project by Yoo Soo in the fall of 2009. Over the period of seven months, Yoo Soo performed, recorded, produced, mixed, and self-released “Death Wave” with the aid of Zach Benkowski on drums. He has since then recruited Tim Cap, Laurence Almalvez, and Brian Choi to create the 5-piece band it currently presents itself to be.




"Mellow Gold " haze has an instantly recognizable melody and a killer hook that is reminiscent of the best Weezer hooks. Tight production and from the toms at the beginning to a build to the cymbals at the end the percussion works really well.

Love the break in "Old Fire". The strings are nice on this track as they compliment the Yoo Soo's vocals as they soar high in higher. The time switches on this song keep it interesting.

'The rhythms and the standards of modern living, they weld our feet, to a growth of scenery', Yoo Soo explains in "In the Event of Failure" which starts off with just an acoustic guitar and voice. This is nice and helps to underscore the tale how we live. 'To future selves that sulk in failure the pain is a temporary tie'. Another nice momentum build toward the end of the song.

The prog. rock punch on "Perpetuator" switches up the sound a bit that it outfitted with a marching snare drum beat. After listening to the first 5 songs the loudness of this track comes as a pleasant surprise.

Yet another surprise on first listen was the psyched out Floyd like "Slippery Slope" with even bigger guitar. This really feels like a true updating of that song, which you don't hear often. Reminiscent of Omar Rodriguez Lopes (Mars Volta).

On the last track, "Death Wave/Color Swirls" there is some beautiful guitar work in this waltz timed ballad.

It's pretty obvious that Yoo Soo can pick up any style of rock/pop he wishes and put his own unique stamp on it. That's a good thing for us music fans. Though people get so caught up with trying to root out influences. if the music is really good then the influences will hit you afterward. This is the case for me with this splendid album. It's amazing to think Yoo Soo recorded it all himself, save for some drums. If this sounds really good to you then you can see him in person THIS FRI AT BEAT KITCHEN!!!! He is playing with Mutts, who I have reviewed this week as well. Archie Powell and The Exports as Well as Glittermouse on this bill. I will be there.

Bears Of Blue River - The Killer Bee Scare

I received a copy of this from Gavin, lead singer of Bears, who played a Dedicated Ears showcase (video here) at The Chopin Theatre. Gavin mostly played solo for this show and I got a chance to talk to him through sound check and after the show. He asked me to do an honest review and that's what he will get.

I really enjoyed this ep's melodies, which have a bit of an Americana twist to them. The Bears are originally from Indiana, after all. Gavin told me the band moved here for the cleanliness and the safety of this city. Or was it for the vibrant music scene?

This ep 's sweet lilting melodies and dancing bass lines are infectious indeed. The harmonies are not over done and accent the framework of the songs. The strong lead vocals of Gavin and Margaret have a nice interplay and compliment each other well. I suppose you would call "Betty Homemaker" the radio hit. A call and response song that tells the story of a couple in a clever way. It's an instantly recognizable melody. Also there is a cool video for it below.

All of the songs are strong and I think that the Bears have a bit of a different take on the standard indie pop formula. Listen closely with head phones and you will hear how the melodies and harmonies disappear into one another. You can get a FREE download of this ep and some other songs on their facebook page. Keep an eye out for a full length album from Bears very soon. I am sure I will tell you about it as well.

The Bears played a show with another great local band, Teenage Rage, this past Thursday at Empty Bottle on Western. Also on the bill was New York's Thieving Irons, which sounds pretty cool too.

Betty Homemaker from Alexis Rose on Vimeo.