By Eggs
Published on May 29, 2008 at 1:41am
Saturday night was a momentous one for Austin-based quartet The Sour Notes, as it marked not only their debut CD release party but also their first ever show together. Some of the band members have roots in Houston, which was evidenced by the large number of family and friends present in the audience – including guitarist/vocalist Jared Boulanger’s 5-year-old sister (who looked mighty tired after their set). It could be that I was just positioned in a particularly dense spot, but I swear that it was more packed in the Backroom’s upstairs area than I’ve ever experienced.
The Sour Notes played a collection of 6 or 7 infectious indie-pop pieces. Initially, the vocals seemed a little unsteady, but they improved immensely as the set progressed. I imagine that as Boulanger becomes more comfortable performing the material with this new project, his vocals will convey more confidence. Providing a lush backdrop for Boulanger’s lilting lyrics were bassist Brandi Dipietro, guitarist/keyboardist Chris Page, and drummer Travis Hackett.
You might expect a band to be a bit awkward onstage the first time they publicly play their work, and I think you’d be warranted in holding such an expectation. In the case of The Sour Notes, they didn’t come off as completely uncomfortable, but they did seem a bit unsure of how to fill the transitional gaps between songs. Dipietro had the most natural presence on stage, but they all looked like they could’ve gone for a few rounds of Patron, but were refraining due to the presence of family, you know what I’m saying? On the other hand, I appreciated the fact that we weren’t getting fed the same stale jokes that had been told in city after city before us – there was something raw and genuine in those not-quite-awkward but almost-too-quiet pauses between songs.
I especially liked their cover of The Ronettes‘ “When I Saw You”, which found Boulanger’s soft, buttery vocal melding effortlessly with the musical landscape. Another highlight for me was their set closer, “Weak at Heart”, a dulcet ode filled with just enough acerbity to leave you wondering what events could have given Boulanger the urge to “board up the door.” It’s the opening song (and my current favorite) on their debut album, The Meat of the Fruit – which was included in the ticket price of the show. I’ve already listened to it in its entirety several times and will be writing more about it very soon. This show was an impressive debut from The Sour Notes, and I look forward to seeing how they develop over the coming months.
By Chris Gray
Published on May 21, 2008 at 1:41am
Austin’s Sour Notes play lulling, ghostly, fully realized melodies not terribly far from Bright Eyes or the Decemberists. And they do so with a degree of bitterness and rancor — directed both inward and outward — that places the quartet closer to noted indie-folk grouches like Bill Callahan and Cat Power. Their subdued, hummable nature does nothing to lessen the lyrical sting of songs like “Weak at Heart,” “It’s Easier to Be a Hypocrite” or “The Truth in Our Lies,” and may sharpen it to an even deadlier point. You know what they say…it’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for. Though Saturday’s show is officially a release for their The Meat of the Fruit EP, expect plenty of material from LP Received in Bitterness, due out later this year. Lymbyc Systym kicks things off at 8 p.m. The Mink/Backroom, 3718 Main. For tickets and information, call 713-522-9985 or visit www.minkonmain/backroom.
Sat., May 24, 8 p.m., 2008
