Free Patrick Watson MP3 | "Man Like You"

Here's another fine song from Patrick Watson & the Wooden Legs. This one's got a Sufjan Stevens feel to it; stay tuned for a review of the whole album soon. The CD drops May 8th; I should have a review of it up before that.

For now, enjoy the MP3.


http://www.patrickwatson.net

http://www.secretcityrecords.com

Review of "Keep Color" By the Republic Tigers

Band: The Republic Tigers
Album: Keep Color
Label: Chop Shop
Rating: 6 out of 8 Haymaker

At times redolent of Radiohead, the Republic Tigers’ initial LP, “Keep Color” is full of harmony, strange samples, and keyboard tricks which give the effort a dreamy, weightless feel. All in all, the songs seem to slide together, and several of the songs “Buildings and Mountains,” “The Nerve,” “Cast on, Cast Off” are as impressive as they are hypnotic. In fact, this is an album that’s easy to listen to again and again, as most of the songs are still fresh ten listens later. In this regard, the album is unique, as it’s difficult to find fault with many of the songs.

The biggest weakness present on the album is the writing; this is the only aspect of the song which gets grating. Several songs, “Air Guitar,” “Contortionists,” and “Made Concrete” have lines that are a tad embarrassing. For instance, “Made Concrete” includes the line, “Don’t believe the scientists that tell you what to/ think /and and / don’t believe the media that tells you what to breathe.”

I can buy the first line, maybe. But the media telling me what to breathe? Hmm.
In any case, this type of writing is perhaps a little too earnest, but then again, erring on the side of earnestness isn’t a huge problem, really. I’d rather have a band be earnest than wishy-washy.
And in the end, The Republic Tigers’ first full-length effort is anything but so-so; in fact, it’s quite good and definitely worth picking up.