American Darlings-Glow, Park Church Co-op with Beverly, EZTV + Rips

With the recent release of their latest recording “Glow,” Brooklyn power-pop rockers American Darlings reach new heights for catchy hook-laden songs that still have an edge.

The six brand new tracks are available via multiple listening formats, including cassette tape (which appears to be growing in popularity once again, and a particular favorite of this blog).

Lead off track “Roll With Me” shows the three minute power-pop anthem is alive and well. While essential verse lyrics “days” and “haze” are as clean a rhyme as “take” and “heartbreak,” their function is all about setting up an instantly catchy chorus. Crunchy guitar and handclap percussion brilliantly usher in the hook that goes “If you say that you’re ready – come on roll with me baby. Till you say that you’re gonna – go and do what you wanna.” That perfect blend of hard rock and “first time” longing conjures up the influential pop of bands like The Raspberries and Badfinger.


There’s a tightly coiled urgency within the alternating paired two-chord crunch immediately powering “Ain’t Seeing Red.” While vocals on those verses straddle an appealing reference point somewhere between Nirvana and REM, lyrical content suggests a conflicted state of mind. An explosive power-pop chorus serves to answer those questions with a positive message that lays out a clear and simple choice. “But if you want me to I'll do - Whatever you wanna say. And if you wanna go, I'll go - If you don't wanna stay right now.”

 Once again dipping into the Beatles-to-Raspberries vocally seductive playbook, the background vocals come on particularly strong on that “wanna stay right nowwwww” line. It’s the perfect balance between rough-hewn and romantically sweet. Bonus points for the delightful little 10 second solo guitar coda at the very end.

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A rich Americana feel emanates from the central guitar riff and melody that runs throughout “Take Me There.” The bended twang guitar lines create an anthemic feel over top of alternately strummed and arpeggio rhythm chords and easy in-the-pocket drums and bass groove.

A sense of longing is revealed through lyrics that go “Feel it fading fast- over the hill and down the line. Living in the past- Way too contrary, my sanctuary's in my mind.” That yearning turns proactive as one more memorable chorus serves up a dynamic plea to “Take me there with you” with the lock down hook of “Cause I wanna go, Yes I wanna go right now.”

 

The album title inspiring track “Watch You Glow” doubles down on pure pop vibes bathed in chugging garage rock guitars. With a tight turn rhythm section locking down the groove, a desire to move on “with the girl, incandescently” is told.

The sing-along-friendly descending chorus progression “I don't really wanna know, how things really got to go, I just want to watch you glow tonight” would slot nicely in any teen coming-of-age movie. Add in a delightful melody fueled guitar break at the two minute mark and Beatles-esque rising (and alternately descending) vocals on the word “toniiiiiight” for a near perfect three and a half minute song.

Listen here

Bursting up through a previously unattainable level, “Game Over” explodes with clever lyrical metaphor of life through video screens. Dedicate gamers can relate to lyrics “every time you blow into that cartridge woah- You're stirring around all of that dust from years ago.”

Exclusive Atari 2600 Cartridge, Cassette and Game Source

Fast paced and full of energetic enthusiasm, the whole band shines with precise accents on a chorus that shouts “break down, break down, "Game Over" screen. 1Up, new year, know what I mean? Break down, break down, "Game Over" screen. 1Up, 2P, Know what I mean?”

 Meaning abundantly clear – our interpersonal relationships are mirrored via new media outlets, and vice versa.

Listen here

Softer chiming strummed guitars and pitched-bended enhancements lead the way into closing track “My Minds’s Eye.” “I've been waiting here, like an illusion inside my head. Everything I fear keeps me from moving just like the dead” are the opening thoughts expressed. 

When the big chorus hits with lyrics “Just confiscate the negotiations” – the whole band pounds down on the riff like My Bloody Valentine.  It’s a gorgeous song overall and presents a possible future direction this band might be headed.

Listen here

Rumored secret of the bands killer sound.

Merch table hang at a recent show. 

Being mentioned in the same sentence as the legendary rock music writer Lester Bangs is truly an honor.

Social media fun

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Dave Cromwell review of "Glow" on The Deli Magazine here

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Previous Dave Cromwell written Deli Magazine on the bands Rubber Track's release here

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Keep up with everything American Darlings related here

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Tuesday September 12 presented a prime opportunity to revisit the beautiful Park Church Co-op in Brooklyn.

The chance to catch dreamy band Beverly in this special cathedral-like setting was simply too good to pass up.

Having witnessed the evolution of Drew Citron's band over the last couple of years, it was a pleasure to experience again how the sound and presentation of Beverly's live show continues to progress.

Performing a set that (not surprisingly) leaned heavily on their critically acclaimed latest album The Blue Swell, a noteworthy change saw core member Scott Rosenthal moving from bass to guitar.

A big part of the band's sound results from these meticulously crafted vocal harmonies.

At one point in the set Drew put down her guitar and sang directly to (and in) the audience - testifying to the congregation!

Showing an artistic growth as a performer and front-person.

Their song “South Collins” (a particular favorite) takes their incredible harmonies and bathes them in a haze that marries Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You” with The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Some Candy Talking.”

One more step down off the altar (this time with guitar in hand) seemingly to enjoy what the band sounds like from an audience perspective.

The lovely sound emanates through a smoke filled haze.

Leading back to extended jams.

Wringing that very last note out in classic gazer style.

The band did an incredible cover of the classic Sundays song “You’re Not The Only One I know" that was magnificent, and revealed another level to Drew’s already impressive vocal abilities.

For their encore, Beverly invited up featured support act at this show EZTV for a final blow out jam.

The two bands meshed quite well, showing a familiarity that was surely established on their recently completed North American tour dates together.

An unexpected jam, covering classic Neil Young.

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Previous features about Beverly by Dave Cromwell, both here on This Site and on The Deli Magazine can be found here:

CMJ -  2015

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Deli Showcase at Pianos - 2015

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Studio at Webster Hall - 2014

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Dave Cromwell Interview with Beverly on The Deli Magazine

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Speaking of the band EZTV, their own performance on this night was quite impressive as well.

Bathed in vibrant lighting against the gorgeous architecture this building provides, they played an impeccable set featuring a number of songs from their latest album "High In Place."

Originating through the vision of lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Ezra Tenenbaum, lyrical storytelling fit seamlessly together with hooky vocal harmonies and indie guitar rock.

Their emphasis on the softer side of that spectrum, complete with ultra-smooth harmony vocals fit perfectly with the time-transcending feeling this venue provides.

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While bands like The Feelies are mentioned as initial role-models for their sound, elements of classic Byrds can be heard in their soaring harmonies and chiming guitars.

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You can listen to and acquire "High In Places" here on their Bandcamp.

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Opening the night's festivities were young guitar-riff indie rockers Rips.

Having gotten to know theirs songs via an impressive debut record (Produced and Mixed by Austin Brown of Parquet Courts) , their live show did not disappoint.

Theirs is the sound of homegrown New York City guitar rock.  Taking inspiration from pioneering bands like Television and Sonic Youth, their songs offer an appeal worth taking notice of.

Find out more about Rips here.

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The incredible lights and sound behind every show at The Park Church Co-op is the sole responsibility of Nick and Jasno and their Union Garage Productions.

It's quite impressive how effortlessly they make it look despite all the hard work that goes into setting up their consistently high quality show.

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Having stood now for over a century, this majestic Lutheran Church is being served by the creative leadership of its forward thinking Pastor Amy. Her commitment in encouraging neighbors to feel welcome and engage this community center in new and creative ways has already had a considerable positive effect.

Find out more about Park Church Co-op here.

Read the DaveCromwellWrites 2017 Northside Fest recap featuring The Park Church Co-op here.

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