Hometowns

Today's Music That is Pretty Rad is Hometowns, by the Rural Alberta Advantage. Somehow, inexplicably, this album came to me via eMusic. RAA is apparently a relatively new band, having released an EP prior to this album, but not much else. Anyway, I got this album on a whim, basically because I hadn't heard of the band before just now.

Hometowns is none too polished an album, and thank goodness. It's not hard rock, but definitely indie rock, and it's nice to have something with a fair ramble to the sound. There are still plenty of falsetto 'oooh's in the tracks, but even on the songs that would give Kings of Leon a run for their dirty money, these 'oooh's don't sound out of place. There are two primary vocalists, a man with a gruff wail and a woman with a sweet warble, but the two styles work together quite well. Instrumentation is also a plus here, as the traditional instruments reign, but keyboards and strings make welcome appearances.

At times, it's easy to wish for more complex lyrics. Still, the simplicity of the lyrics is balanced by the raw emotion; the vocals are heartfelt and personal enough that they convey their message well enough without really giving, say, Colin Meloy anything to worry about. No, the RAA has its roots more firmly in the Neutral Milk Hotel camp in terms of message and mood. The compositions aren't as old-fashioned or complex, but on a more personal level, the comparison seems apt.

The point is that while the sound is a bit lo-fi, it works extremely well. The album title is very apt; this album is full of dusty roads and heartbreak, and it's hard not to relate to. Solid tracks abound, though I'm fond of "The Dethbridge in Lethbridge" and "Drain the Blood". "Luciana" sounds like it came from NMH's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. "Frank AB" is simple but powerful.

This is probably the most pleasant surprise I have had in terms of music this year; if I was forced to keep score, Hometowns would be running neck and neck with Elvis Perkins's In Dearland for my favorite album of the year, with apologies to A.C. Newman and Neko Case. Perhaps this album isn't slick enough for some, but it should find plenty of fans.

In Other News:
Where were all the nice ~80 degree days that June is supposed to bring?

The RAA is playing in Omaha on July 15! Try to talk me out of this!