Writing for this music blog is a blessing. Often people send me links and press releases for new bands and new music in hopes of some good ole fashion publicity. I welcome it. I’m pretty intrigued by bands creative processes and I rarely write a negative review simply because the music I like and listen to has been slaved over by the artists that have created it. This brings me to this weeks blog. While sifting through the ever growing list of submissions on top of bands I like on my own I stumbled upon a band called Plants and Animals and in hopes of not being corny, that was the end of that.
Ok I’ll get this out of the way. The similarities are undeniable. Tom Petty. I hear a little bit of Tom Petty when I listen to these tunes. I absolutely hate making comparisons like that, but in this instance a. there’s no denying it (i ran it by a bunch of my friends) and b. if I were going to be compared to any one I would want it to be Tom Petty too. O.k. now that’s over.
First impressions and vocals aside what caught my ear in the first place was the guitars on this record. The grit/ dirty ‘southern’ drawl on songs like “Runaways” and “Why and Why” which has since become my favorite tune on this record provides a cool vibe. A Canadian rock outfit from Montreal Plants and Animals is a three piece band. Singers Warren Spicer, Nic Basque, and Matthew Woody are a musical threat each playing guitar, bass and keys, and drums respectively. Having released their initial EP in 2004 the band is road weary and and with Juno award nominations under their belt they are not shy of accolades. With their most recent release “The End Of That” on shelves now they are touring the US with their self proclaimed “indie- post classic rock”. That 1960′s-70′s Laurel Canyon folk rock and roll vibe blends well with the modern indie rock sounds on songs like “LIghtshow”.
I’m on my third listen all the way through and I’m pretty much loving this. Every song seems to bleed well into the next. It’s a very coherent record. When I get to the end of the record I hit a tune called “No Way”. Every song up to that point featured the guitar work which, as i said, stood out to me in the first place. Then all of a sudden ten songs deep I hear this tune kick off with clean, bold, full grand piano. What? Needless to say I was surprised. It’s a cool song and a good way to end the record.
Plants and Animals is making its way to LA this weekend!!! (Imaging the bells and sirens of a great opportunity going off in your head). Tickets are a steal at 12 bucks. It’s going to sell out at the door so make sure you buy your tickets now and get there early, we’ll make room. They have kindly invited me to join them so I will hopefully be there to review the live show and here these awesome new songs live and in person. Saturday night they take over the Satellite in Silver Lake and I’m expecting everyone who reads this blog to come out and support. HERE is the link to the venue website and HERE is the link to Plants and Animals upcoming tour dates. There are a bunch of really cool bands supporting this weekend and the show goes really late so make a night of it, bring a DD and lets get elegantly wasted together. See you there!!
By: Steve Rippin | Beat-Play Ambassador Los Angeles | @stevewithMWL|Music Without Labels & Beat-Play, LLC
