Louisville, Kentucky is quickly becoming one of the most
eclectic and exciting cities for up and coming new musical acts. The sounds coming out of Louisville
range from bluegrass to post punk, with bands like Whistle Peak and Nerves
Junior blending so many genres that they’re impossible to define with a simple
one or two word label. Following
in this notion is one of the most exciting acts to come out of Louisville in
2012, Murals. Their newest LP On a
Passing Cloud is a bizarre, yet strangely perfect blending of the burnt-out San
Francisco psych sound, Kentucky folk, and a call back to the late 50’s/early
60’s soft, yet smart music of a Simon & Garfunkel or a Chad & Jeremy.
On a Passing Cloud isn’t an in your face record, but it
still makes bold move after bold move, throwing small, but powerful curveballs
and keeping the listener on their toes.
On their debut single, “Eyes of Love,” Murals craft a very pleasant
guitar lead that is interrupted by a slightly-off piano that hesitates
momentarily, as if to ensure that the listener is paying attention and not
drifting with their floating melodies.
About a minute and sixteen seconds into the song, Murals switch
everything up and introduce a trotting, almost western-like melody that quickly
turns dark, with lush ambient layers creeping over and interrupting the cowboy
moment. The song ends with the
piano resonating, and it quickly becomes apparent that while Murals are fully
capable of invoking Simon and Garfunkel, they’re equally capable of invoking
David Lynch - slightly off, but somehow always making sense.
Unfortunately for Murals, their music is not the type to set
the world ablaze in a matter of minutes.
It’s always been a problem for bands like Woods or Kurt Vile (both who
eventually found a great audience), while great bands like M83 or Animal
Collective can release one track and become household names. Bands like Murals work like a slow
burning candle while others have the luxury of attention-grabbing
fireworks. But for those that do
dig deep into one of the most soothing, interesting, and admirable albums of
2012, the reward will be joining the talented, slow-burning Murals as they
gradually build and eventually get the credit such talent deserves. Last week I called Dent May’s record Do
Things the summer record of the year.
On a Passing Cloud is the shadow to that album, the perfect wind down to
a summer day and all its excitement.
Murals don’t want to tuck you in before bed, but they’re with you on the
porch as the night swallows some of the summer heat and reflection sets
in. A more perfect soundtrack than
On a Passing Cloud for such moments will be hard to find this year.
This is amazing. Nice find!
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