in rotation: Forest Fire

"I Don't Like What I've Become"

I have no idea how I found out about Forest Fire, but two days ago their infectious "I Make Windows" came on shuffle. After a little sleuthing, I found out that Forest Fire are a, surprise surprise, Brooklyn band, by way of Portland, specializing in atmospheric, bourbon soaked, tin-shack country folk. Sure, they fall into the extremely broad "Indie" category, but the songs off their record Survival feel more like urban twang or industrial hymns written in an abandoned warehouse in Bushwick than freak folk or goth folk or whatever the sweet folk the kids are digging this week is. Survival, released this summer, is an understated, overlooked gem that feels more like a stepping stone to something bigger than a master statement. Their bio notes that "Survival was recorded over an eight month period in two locations - Brooklyn, New York and Portland, Oregon. “Not all the members of Forest Fire live on the same coastline,” Mark Thresher explains, “So when certain friends roll through town, things happen pretty quickly.” Many of the tracks were recorded live in less than five takes, then maniacally overdubbed by a variety of players. Sometimes there was only one microphone for the entire band. Sometimes they pulled out a few more." If that's not enticing enough, NYC Taper favorite Sharon Van Etten and Nick Deiffs of the Shaky Hands lend their vocals on a few tracks. Oh yeah, and the album is available for free on archive.org, so what are you waiting for? Snatch Survival here, then go buy Cotton Jones Basket Ride's The Archery EP and chew on the wonders of the new East Coast atmospheric folk scene.

Forest Fire doesn't have any dates scheduled, but you can catch The Shaky Hands at the Mercury Lounge Saturday and Sharon Van Etten at Zebulon on Sunday. Both are Bobk-approved and highly recommended.

new: Shaky Hands

"So Well Hidden"

The Shaky Hands were one of my favorite CMJ discoveries last year. Their self-titled debut, which I recently rekindled my relationship with, is one helluva jangle pop winner, complete with all the catchy hooks and head shaking rhythm you love about early R.E.M records. Often I feel like The Shaky Hands are right out of Chronic Town, which is a damn good thing if you ask me. The band recently released their second album, Lunglight, which in this on-the-cuff clip (below), is explained as being "darker and more provocative." After a few spins with "We Are Young", you begin to hear the exceeding aggression in the band's sound, which, if you recall, used to have a certain 'running down the beach doing cartwheels' thing going on. Order the Lunglight from the band's new label, Kill Rock Stars, for $10...and yes, it includes a free digital download. The best of both worlds. Also, if you're on the Left Coast, check out The Shaky Hands with fellow Bobka favorite The Acorn, for a slew of shows that are sure to be delectable.

Shaky Hands- We Are Young

nu visuals: The Shaky Hands

"All Whales Can Sing"

This afternoon I realized that CMJ was almost 4 months ago, and that means that I have been listening to The Shaky Hands self-titled debut for 1/3 of a year. I knew these guys were the real deal when the only pauses between songs was to suck down a deep breakth and break back into their Murmur-esque jangle pop. Their label, Holocene Music, recently posted a video for The Shaky Hands "Whales Sing" on YouTube. No doubt influenced by A Hard Day's Night and '60s beach party movies ala any Annette Funicello and Franky Avalon, there is really only one word to sum up it up: Fun.

The Shaky Hands- Whales Sing

CMJ recap: The Shaky Hands

"Maker, Make a Light to Shine on Those Who Need Light"

One of the most pleasant surprises of CMJ came on the first night. After checking out the Indaba lounge located in a third story walk up loft on the Bowery, I headed to the Bowery Ballroom for the Brooklyn Vegan showcase. I knew next to nothing about Bon Iver nor The Shaky Hands, but had a least listened to a few tracks from Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago. Bon Iver dosed the crowd at the Bowery Ballroom in haunting falsetto and lonesome atmospherics that set a luscious mood for the evening. Needless to say I bought a handmade copy of For Emma, Forever Ago after the set. More on him later, this post is about The Shaky Hands.

They came on after Bon Iver and raged the Ballroom for 45 minutes. Two Les Pauls, steady-as-she-goes bass, rhythmically entrancing hand percusion and some big hair thrown in for good measure. The Portland band blazed through selections from their self-titeld debut. A heavy dose of jangly heartfelt American rock and roll. A week later I still can't quite put my finger on what I really like about this band, mainly because I think it's all right where it should be. I bought the record from bassist Mayhaw Hoons after the show who told me they were on their last week of a three week tour cross country. If they were tired from driving from Cleveland the day before it sure didn't show, as their performance was as genuine as a pair of Levi's Original 501's. Their record hasn't left my CD player yet.


The Shaky Hands- The Sleepless