The comic (can I call it a comic?) above is from one of my fave websites, A Softer World, which alternately cracks me up and depresses the shit out of me (which I guess is something all good websites should do). I saw this one a month ago but didn't actually realize what it means to me until right now. Being a music fan means I'm going to keep falling in love forever. And the latest object of my affection is the New Orleans band Generationals, who I caught after my radio show this past Monday night.
Generationals have been flirting with the edge of my periphery for a month or so - my friend Jamie stuck them on a mix back around my birthday, and I had spotted them on the Basement's concert calendar as a part of a Park the Van bill with Spinto Band. But they slipped under the radar until I was planning Monday's show and thought it might be a good idea to play one of their tunes to promote the Basement gig. I clicked on "When They Fight, They Fight" and - zow. Where'd that little firecracker of a song come from?
Not too many hours later, I bopped over to the Basement immediately after my show, and walked up to the door just as they started their first song. In a room mostly devoid of familiar show-going faces (where were you guys? you would have loved them!), I settled in for a bouncy set of tunes from the band's album, Con Law. Seeing a band you're super unfamiliar with always puts a little extra pressure on first impressions, but each song was more toe-tapping than the one before, and I found that the melodies and guitar riffs and drum rhythms were actually sticking with me when the music stopped. And yesterday afternoon, taking Con Law for a few spins, I found myself instantly recognizing my favorites from the show, and tapping my toe just as enthusiastically at my desk as I did at the bar the other night.
The band is a collaboration between Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer, formerly of the Eames Era, and while I caught them as a touring foursome this time around, apparently they can expand to a seven-piece, which includes multiple backup singers and a trumpet player. After hearing Con Law, I have to say the horns were sorely missed at the Basement, but Generationals still put on a show that started my week on the highest note possible. They also delivered a dark horse of an album that might just creep its way up my year-end list, if the number of spins I've given it in the last few days are any indication.
"When They Fight, They Fight"
"Nobody Could Change Your Mind"
Con Law is out now on Park the Van Records, so pick up a copy and check their tour dates to see if they're stopping in your town soon.
