We Are The West uses sound and space to create an experience that is welcoming and honest. The Los Angeles-based duo has recorded in storm drains, performed on sheep farms, and now hosts a concert series in the underground parking garage of an office building the Saturday night before each full moon. This Spring they release the second in a four part album of recordings.
I’ve had this one on for like 3 days, now. The second installment in a project that is being released as 4 EP’s, “EP II” is ambient and personal. Three beautifully done tunes with acoustic guitar and double-bass (that’s a “stand-up” to you new-school cats) and vocal making up most of the sound spectrum, remind me in a haunting way of My Morning Jacket with long, spacey reverb tails and up close lyrics. That’s a really good thing, by the way. It’s not all guitar, though, there are neat little background sounds and fiddles, and all sorts of stuff to tickle the ol’ eardrums.
I still haven’t caught all the nuances, after many many plays – I love a record that makes me just stop and listen, like this one does. Yes, for three days, I’ve been trying to decide what to write about this one. So, let’s see…
- Great lyrics – check
- Beautiful recording – check
- Unique sounds – check
- Interesting approach – check
- Totally absorbing – check
- Would you listen to it again – HELL YEAH!
There is one thing about the recording that may turn some off. There is some background noise in each of the tracks. In today’s world of “digital cleanliness and perfection” (which is a myth) we aren’t really used to the hiss that accompanies a piece of vinyl or tape, and some will find it a bother. Personally, I love it! Realism! Thank You! When the CD was first gaining popularity in the ’80’s (yes I was there), boutique manufacturer Carver added a function to their players that added “tape noise” back in. The developer said he was listening to tape with a fire on the hearth and couldn’t hear the tape hiss over the fire, which inspired him to add a bit of noise to his CD-player, which turned out to be one of the best things ever for digital music.
OK, it’s over, hold on, gotta go start it again… Man, if I was anywhere near a parking garage in Santa Monica, I’d be at every show! Maybe if enough of you listen and petition AC Entertainment, we can get them down to the 2014 Bonnaroo – they would be a perfect fit for the Middle Tennessee music festival of choice for music lovers around the globe
The Saturday before each full moon we perform in the underground parking garage of an office building in Santa Monica. On Saturday June 15th, under the waxing Strawberry Moon, we welcome our friend Greg Johnson as our very special guest.
