Let's face it, under the guise of "convenience", the internet has managed to slowly turn music into a disposable art form. It has. You know it, I know it. For those of us that really love music, this pisses us off to no end.
I remember the days of standing in line at Tower Records or Rolling Stones for the midnight release of an album or cd. I remember the treks made with friends to the swap style record shows to find those bootlegs or rare releases from the bands I loved. The search, the mystery, the time invested, it was all part of a beautiful relationship. It was a time when we had to meet the music in the middle. That was the deal. I swear to you, those journeys to the record store or record show fucking meant something! To hold in your hands that album you came looking for; and when you finally got it home...it gave the listening experience depth, it transported you into a different world and made the connection with the music stronger. Now, with a simple click, the music appears. And with another click, there it is FOR FREE! And with another click, (after only listening to 3-4 seconds of a song) the next song is up...and with another click, it's gone. There is nothing to hold. There is no investment made, no real value or reward from this process. It is in large part, a hallow experience by comparison.
Taking this current state of affairs into account, The Ex-Bombers (an 8-string bass and drum combo from Charleston, Illinois that specializes in a sultry brand of dirtbag spy jazz) have decided to make a stand against this modern trend; one that perfectly says, "fuck all of this." They put out a record (in mono!), but they went one brave step further; there are no digital versions of this record being made available from the band. No cd, no Spotify, no fucking Rhapsody, no iTunes...only the vinyl...and I can't tell you how loudly I applaud them for doing this.
Honestly, why bother playing a game that has become so over-saturated and pointless? Why not play your own game on your own terms? Why put your music up for a judgement that is seemingly dependent upon what kind of mood a person sitting at their cubicle may be in at that moment? Why not make it all about the music? Why not insist on a listener making an investment in your band? That should be the trade-off after all of the time and hard work it took to write and record the album, right? And if a listener doesn't want to take the time to make that investment in your band? Hey, fuck 'em...someone else who understands will.
Again, huge applause.
Their full-length debut, The Tightwire (Cavetone Records) is a very coooool listen. A complete analog experience, it consists of 10 songs with some neat set-the-scene interludes sprinkled in to help deliver the theme.
With the majority of the musical assault being made by a drum kit (Keri Cousins), an 8-string bass (Scott Walus) and shared vocals; the "less is more" approach is in full swing. This album is very live and it is beautifully human. It grooves. It is sexy. It has this underlying current of intensity that surfaces in all the right places. It is strange. It is insanely clever.
"Sexy Interrogation" could easily be in the running for song of the year...yes, it's that good. "Happening Thing" is a hook riddled, lo-fi anthem; this is their signature song, the one that follows you home after the show. Then there's the way they manage to rip the floor out from under you to get to the chorus in the title track. It all works, and it doesn't take long to notice that there is something very unique and special going on here.
Of course, there are a few catches if you're a band who plans on going the "vinyl only" route. You have to play live, a lot...and you must deliver the goods at every show; this is your money maker, know how to shake it. Thankfully, The Ex-Bombers know exactly what they are doing. So, do what you can to catch one of their shows and grab this vinyl from them in person. Their live show and The Tightwire come highly recommended.
You can find The Ex-Bombers on Facebook HERE!
You can order The Tightwire directly from Cavetone Records.