LA / LBC / OC
Long Beach’s Magic Lantern have finally gone and released a new sonic document after what seemed like an eternity of waiting. Eagerly anticipated by those who have been biding their time waiting for the band to get on with their uber limited cassette only and CD-R releases (their Self-Titled CD-R was limited to 30), “High Beams”, the band’s latest opus [...]
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I just got my grubby mitts on the Soft Hands‘ new album, Hours Pass By, that comes out next Tuesday, October 21st on the Long Beach label, Fidotrust Records. My previous experience with the band has been limited to a few mp3s I was able cull from the interwebs and a frighteningly good performance at The Prospector which I documented for the OC Weekly’s Heard Mentality blog. It was in that review that I described their sound as a “hyperactive Talking Heads-meets-Wire” and correctly surmised the only three songs that I had previously been familiar with, “I Hope So”, “I’m On Fire” and “Up The Ladder”, would be on their new album.
Now if I were to add anything to that description after spending the morning with Hours Pass By, is that the Soft Hands music seems primed for the perfect soundtrack to a nervous breakdown (which wouldn’t you know it, has it’s own entry on eHow). Also if I were to suggest a music video treatment, the central story would definitely revolve around someone losing their shit and ending up in a mental institution. The come down? Now I don’t want to think about that, and neither do the Soft Hands whose Hours Pass By never slows down from the frantic pace set by the opening track, “Had a Vision” to the closing number “Imagine Me”. In addition to the three previously mentioned songs that I was already familiar with, new songs “Numbers” and “Lot To Know” have quickly taken hold of me with their compelling bass lines and prominent vocals by bassist Elizabeth Lindsey.
Also on tonight’s bill are Los Angeles’ Happy Hollows, who themselves are set to release new music next Tuesday as well in the form of the Imaginary EP. From what I have heard so far, it is incredibly promising. Download a few tracks from the album from their page on RCRD LBL.
Long Beach’s The Fling and The Year Zero are set to open the show. I’ve never seen the The Fling, but have their Ghost Dance EP and Year Zero I have narrowly missed in the past, but really like from the recordings I have heard so far.
To just get down to it, tonight’s line up is incredibly strong and I imagine Alex’s will be pretty packed.
MP3: Soft Hands – I’m On Fire
MP3: Happy Hollows – Lieutenant
MP3: The Fling – Breaks
MP3: The Year Zero – Stranger
TONIGHT (Friday, Oct 17): The Soft Hands, Happy Hollows, The Fling, Year Zero @ Alex’s Bar (2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA) | $5 | 21+ | 8pm