Seattle Subsonic

Failed Graves Is Out Today, Too

April 27th, 2010

Speaking of release Tuesday, Wäntage USA astutely bumped up the release of what I believe to be the best record to come out of Seattle so far this year. That’s right, I’ve seen the Lights. Every time I listen to Failed Graves, something new jumps out at me, whether it’s a quirky little lyric or short, skewed riff from Craig Chambers or some subtle change from the rhythm section that previously eluded me. For a three-piece, these days that’s increasingly rare. From my review:

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“This album is undoubtedly ramshackle, mostly due to Craig Chambers’ charming disregard for rock guitar “conventions” and PJ Rogalski’s adaptable drum skills. But bassist Jeff Albertson does a masterful job corralling it all together with some gritty and terrifically threatening undertones, particularly during combustible tracks “Deathless Distances” and “The Fixer”. I get the feeling that if a slipshod, wild-eyed posse of frontiersmen devised a sound rooted in late 70s punk and its early 80s aftermath, it might sound something like this.”

The dudes will be playing with the Unnatural Helpers at Easy Street Queen Anne tonight at 7pm, so be sure to pick up a copy of both of their new records while you’re there. Else you can catch them May 1st at the Sunset for KEXP’s Audioasis with Thunder Buffalo and (those) Butts (girls again).