WE SING THE BODY ELECTRIC!

hello friends and countrymen. lend me your ears and i'll tell you what has been in mine.

Anacortes, WA's The Lonely Forest finally released their newest, "We Sing the Body Electric!" on April 21st, by which time I had listened to a good dozen times thanks to pre-ordering. I had been waiting about a year to get this album, featuring songs I have heard them play live all year but never have had a recording of.

listen to/watch "We Sing in Time"

...their cd release at Vera project on April 24th was another treat as they performed close to their whole new album.

Unlike "Nuclear Winter", their 2006 emotional epic of a lonely space hero, The Lonely Forest delivers a full sound thanks to the return of their fourth member. This guitar-driven, lyrically sound, danceable rock will capture a lot of new fans. While I wish they could stay a small, local band that greets its fans with high fives as they enter the venue, as frontman John van Deusen did at their cd release, this is one band that has an unmistakable charm, loads of personality, and, of course, good music that should be heard around the world.

Stand-out tracks include "Julia's Song", complete with a lullaby, "We Sing in Time", "Tomato Soup", and my personal favorite, "Golden Apples of the Sun Pt. II" that leads into the beautiful acapella of "Mt. Constitution". Honestly, though, you won't be disappointed as the unmentioned tracks are solid as well.

If you are anywhere near the Seattle area, you shouldn't miss them at Neumo's May 14th, opening for JEREMY ENIGK, of all people. In addition, they are playing on my birthday (for free!) at Folklife in the EMP, Capitol Block Party, the Q Cafe in August, and Bumbershoot in September. Get out and catch them at least once - I'll surprised if you can stop after just one.