This seductively brilliant rock band from San Diego has been making genre-defying, innovative music since the late 90s. Their new CD “Autumn of the Seraphs” is the most musically satisfying and complete album I’ve heard all year, by far. While all the members are clearly masters of their instruments, I must single out the drummers (two fellas played on the CD) because a snare drum has never sounded better, crisper or more emphatic. Add the soulful, hypnotic and slightly menacing vocals of Rob Crow and Zach Smith that alternatively cleave to and wander from the finely constructed and oddly beautiful arrangements (”How We Breathe” is simply breathtaking) and you have a CD for the ages. “Blue Harvest” is a nice homage to early Police, when Sting wasn’t so goddamn full of himself.
With so many indie bands deconstructing music to a bare bones mess of low-fi nonsense, Pinback reminds me just how swell well-orchestrated music can make this jaded music snob feel. This gem is a must for fans of Jai-Alai Savant, Modest Mouse and all those delightful (yet slightly over-hyped) Canadian bands on the Arts & Crafts label.
Check out their video for "From Nothing to Nowhere":
My Trusted MOGs
You know, Pinback's one of those bands I listen to but never watch. I had NO idea this is what they look like. Have you ever had that shocked feeling of discovering that the real thing is the complete opposite of what you had pictured? Anyway! - I like this new song here and glad to know they have a new album on the way.
Also, I am one of those Modest Mouse fans that found out about Pinback after the fact of loving Modest Mouse. They're definitely nice compliments to each other, back to back, on a playlist.