The Builders & The Butchers were played this weekend on The Waiting Room radio show over at WOXY.com and ”Short Way Home” was one of my favorites for this week. I must confess that I’ve not hopped on the B&B bandwagon until this point. I seem to have a natural aversion for bands that my friends hype and well, most everyone I know is completely head over heels for this group. It wasn’t until I heard that song that I began to realize what a mistake I’d made by not immersing myself in their first album. But darlings! it’s not too late!
Last week The Builders & The Butchers released their second record, Salvation is a Deep Dark Well, and after hearing it these two days, I’m happy to report that it’s as great or better than anything I’ve heard from them before. Often described as wild, DIY, raucous Americana, this band truly shines on their latest release. You know I just saw a great show by O’death, and now I can’t help but consider the similarities between these two great bands. Certainly they both are influenced by folk music in the Southern tradition. There are vocal affinities between the two lead singers, both bands use a variety of instruments and found objects to produce their “noise” and, lyrically they both take us to the sorrowful, grim bits of life. From their album, I’d say The Builders & The Butchers are a tad bit more melodic, much less gypsy …. a smidgen more folk. But I think the Builders is a band that I just have to see to really describe all on its own.
But the songs on this record are exactly what everyone I know has raved about hearing live. Opening with “Golden and Green,” the tone is set: death, destruction, all returns to the Earth in the end. There’s nothing jaunty or jovial about the Builders, but that’s not to say that they play slow, plodding tunes. I can’t decide whether it’s angry defiance or a twisted joy at the stark realization that the world is full of hardship. By the end of the album I’m pretty sure it’s both. And it’s that idea that reminds me of O’death’s “There Is A Light That Does Not Dim.” No, I’m afraid the Butchers can’t avoid the label of “Southern Gothic” music.
“Barcelona” is just a gorgeous, dramatic folk song with a great hook. It’s the kind of thing you want to sing loudly at the pub with your friends on a Saturday night. Can I honestly tell you that I’m smitten with Ryan Sollee’s voice? No, not really, however, that’s only one component of what makes Salvation Is A Deep Well a memorably great album. Offset by banjo, ukelele, and some amazing percussion, it’s a voice that grows on you. The occasional off notes are all part of what makes this band so very approachable and lovely. And songs like “Down In This Hole” and the slow, beautiful, “The Wind Has Come” are thouroughly structured, crafted to deliver the impact that the lyrics deserve. And with Kaysandra Irving on “The World Is A Top,” the Builders & The Butchers just knock that one out of the park! Do give this record a good listen and add it to your collection of folk/rock. Oh, and they’re on tour this summer too! xoxo
Tour Dates
07/15/09 in San Fransisco, CA; Bottom of the Hill; 8:00pm. Admission: 10.00.
07/16/09 in Visalia, CA; Cellar Door; 8:00pm.
07/17/09 in Los Angeles, CA; Spaceland; 8:00pm. Admission: 8.00.
07/18/09 in San Diego, CA; Casbah; 8:00pm. Admission: 8.00.
07/20/09 in Salt Lake City, UT; Urban Lounge; 8:00pm. Admission: $7.00.
07/21/09 in Denver, CO; Larimer Lounge; 8:00pm.
07/22/09 in Wichita, KS; Fisch Haus; 8:00pm.
07/23/09 in Lawrence, KS; Replay (outside) 8:00pm.
07/25/09 in Cincinatti, OH; Mad Hatter 8:00pm.
07/27/09 in Cleveland, OH; Beachland 8:00pm. Admission: $8.00. All Ages.
07/28/09 in Washington DC; DC 9 8:00pm. Admission: 10.00.
07/29/09 in Philadelphia, PA; Johnny Brendas Time: 8:00pm. Admission: 10.00.
07/30/09 in Brooklyn, NY; Bell House 8:00pm. Admission: 10.00.
07/31/09 in New York, NY; Pianos Time: 8:45pm. Admission: 10.00.
08/01/09 in Boston, MA; TT the Bears 8:00pm. Admission: 8.00.
08/03/09 in Detroit, MI; Pike Room Time: 8:00pm.
08/04/09 in Pittsburgh, PA; Brillobox Time: 9:00pm. Admission: 8.00.
08/05/09 in Columbus, OH; Skully’s Time: 8:00pm.
08/06/09 in Indianapolis, IN; Vollrath Time: 8:00pm.
08/07/09 in Chicago, IL; Lollapalooza Time: 1:45pm. All Ages
08/09/09 in Madison, WI; Cafe Montmartre Time: 8:00pm. Admission: 8.00.
08/10/09 in Minneapolis, MN; 400 Bar Time: 8:00pm.
08/12/09 in Missoula, MT; Palace Time: 8:00pm.
Join the Blue Ribbon Online Free Speech Campaign!
This band really are the dog’s bollocks, aren’t they?
From the singer’s malevolent sneer to the clattering percussion and back to the tortured wail of the harmonica. It’s all there in spades.
There’s a potent energy to the performance, and an instinctive turn to the songwriting.
Loin-stirring stuff.
Indeed, my verbose Welsh friend, they are! You know, Dylan, you should really get a blog. I just feel like you have so much to say. Loin-stirring is so where it’s at this week, xoxo
I have a blog!
It has photos on it!
I prefer to pollute everyone else’s blogs with my inane rambling!
I am only just getting into this album – listened to it a couple of times through, but no more, yet. I wish I could see them live. We did when we were in Portland, but it was during the day on a stage too far away to capture much of the energy.
And now I have too few holidays left to go to Portland for Music Fest North West. Fuck.
Well, if it’s any consolation, they are coming to Chicago but I won’t be seeing them. There is simply no fucking way that any band will draw me to Lolla. Well maybe Meursault could… go line that up for me, ok? xoxo