New The Silt- "No Twig" mp3

[mp3]

The Silt "No Twig" mp3

Great to be back after a nice layover, and it's even better to be sharing with you a brand new mp3 from Toronto's The Silt. (I still need to correct myself each time after thinking their name is The Slit. And I may or may not have seen a porn with that title before.) Anywho, we've got an exclusive taste of the folk trio's upcoming LP Cat's Peak, which will be released a week from now via Fire Records. "No Twig" is a slice of slow-moving country that sounds like it's about to collapse any second, channeling the dilapidated structure of many Bonnie "Prince" Billy songs. Come to think of it, frontman Ryan Driver has a bit of a Will Oldham thing going on in his voice, which is never a bad thing. You can currently stream two other songs from Cat's Peak on the band's Myspace, including the funky "Come Back To The Willow." Silt. Not Slit. Silt, silt, silt....

Review Previews: Fire on Fire, And the Relatives

Fire on Fire
Where: South Portland, Maine
To-Be-Released:The Orchard (12/10/08,Young God Records)
Sounds Like: The Band, Arcade Fire, Old Crow Medicine Show
Myspace

After releasing a beautiful handmade, self-titled EP, Fire on Fire are set to roar on to the scene with their debut album. The Orchard is orchestral-bluegrass, roots-rock...that rocks. There are elements of past Americana influences such as The Band, coupled with modern-day, Acrade Fire-esque harmonies. The album sounds like steel wool scraping on pots and pans with a one-string-washtub-upright bass, all of which are amplified by the in-your-face, rustic recording. Each member of this five-piece band can play a plethora of instruments from mandolin, to Dobro, to banjo... they play them well. Check back for full review.

And the Relatives
Where: East Nashville, Tenn.
Recent Release: Animals
Sounds Like: Black Sabbath, The Black Keys, Pavement
Myspace

Remember that Ben Fong-Torres quote in Almost Famous...something to the tune of, "hardworking band makes good...?" That label pertains to And the Relatives. These guys are working their asses off in Music City USA of all places. A staple of the more remote underground Nashvegas music scene, these guys work multiple jobs and still bring it at their live shows -- which go late. The band lives together in East Nashville creating hard-hitting rock 'n roll with punk highlights in the basement of their home. Animals makes you want to rebel, dance, booze and party all at the same time. Punchy vocals add to the stripped down feel of this trio, whose tight playing and band chemistry come through on each tune. These guys love their band and their music -- we hope this hardworking band can make good with their newest release. Check back for full review...