In 2006, Bound Stems proved to the world that they are more than capable of writing great songs, which they did quite well on their debut LP Appreciation Night. But the soon-to-be-released follow up, The Family Afloat, exists at a different level entirely. Their debut demonstrated how well they infused pop with complex rhythms and arrangements and that you should expect the unexpected. This sensibility still remains, however, but more as an ingredient rather than the entire dish. In two short years these Chicagoans poured that album into a big pot the way Anthony Bourdain would with jalapeños into a ceviche, and out came a record that has a real purpose and actually makes me feel better about the state of American songwriting.
Leading off the album is “Taking Tips from the Gallery Gang,” a song that’s layered and atmospheric, but sneaks up on you and yells “Boo!” at just the right time. The voice of Bobby Gallivan saying he’s gonna take you everywhere he goes is foreshadowing and you don’t know what to feel, but you sure as hell don’t want to miss what’s coming up next. And that would be the best song on the album, “Happens To Us All Otherwise.” Expecting the unexpected would be the only way to describe how this song curves, moves, stops, starts and then lets you catch your breath for just a second before sprinting to the finish line. From Dan Radzicki’s punchy bassline to Jack-of-all-trades Janie Porche’s sweltering back-up vocals to the vigorous percussion of Evan Sult, Bound Stems made their own little amazing journey. It clocks in at less than four minutes, but you’ll play it over and over because you never want it to end.
This is where they shine on The Family Afloat. The songs have character and emotion and engaging stories to keep you occupied for the duration of the 10-song expedition. “Passing Bell,” “Palace Flophouse and Grill” and “Only Clementine Knows” all possess this mysterious depth where you can look all you want but you won’t ever know how deep it really is unless you jump on in. Once you’re there, you’re in for harmonious and rich vocal melodies, unfamiliar yet friendly song structures, and a complete record you’ll want to buy on vinyl just to see if you unlock its secrets.
Songs like “Winston,” which has an air of simple complexity, sounds like Gallivan is sitting in front of his class teaching U.S. History. Not that the song is actually citing facts about Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation or anything, it’s just that it actually sounds like he’s in front of you and what he has to say is somehow important and you should pay attention. The songs are all like this—commanding, informative, beautiful. Who is Winston? I don’t know, but I feel bad for him and that’s a little weird considering the situation.
Like the way John Lennon got shrugged off by Bob Dylan after boasting such barely-from-the-soul hits like “A Hard Day’s Night,” bands tend to really come into their own when they start writing from the cobwebbed areas of their hearts. I’m not talking emo here, just from that area in your body where you actually feel something. The little area most people avoid like the guy on freeway off ramp with his entire life story scribbled on hunk of cardboard—it’s part of our lives, but you'd just rather pretend it doesn’t exist.
Bound Stems reached a little deeper to pull off an album like this—an album that grows on you and can be interpreted however you like. And that’s what makes an album great—you love the album for your own reasons, not the other way around. In essence, their debut illustrated how the fabric of Chicago made Bound Stems who they are, while The Family Afloat lifts them above that fabric, allowing others to look at them and see Chicago.
Artist:
www.boundstems.com
Album:
The Family Afloat will be out September 9, 2008, on Flameshovel Records.
Downloads:
“Happens to Us All Otherwise” – [mp3]
“Western Biographic” – [mp3]
Summer Tour Dates:
Friday July 18th, 2008 – Muncie, IN – Village Green Records
Saturday July 19th, 2008 – Toronto, ON – Sneaky Dee's
Sunday July 20th, 2008 – Montreal, QC – Jupiter Room
Monday July 21st, 2008 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East Club
Tuesday July 22nd, 2008 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Hall
Wednesday July 23rd, 2008 – Philadelphia, PA – M Room
Thursday July 24th, 2008 – New York, NY – The Mercury Lounge
Friday July 25th, 2008 – Washington, DC – Velvet Lounge
Saturday July 26th, 2008 – Pittsburgh, PA – Howler's Coyote Lounge
Friday August 8th, 2008 – Madison, WI – The Frequency
Saturday August 9th, 2008 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Club
Tuesday August 12th, 2008 – Kansas City, MO – Record Bar
Friday August 15th, 2008 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
Saturday August 16th, 2008 – Cincinnati, OH – Northside Tavern
