Chasing Lions (formerly Puddlegum) has launched as the first blog label. There will, no doubt, be differences of opinion on who the actual “first” blog/label combo is or was–Dave Allen ran Pampelmoose.com for a time with an indie label section by the same name, but Pampelmoose the label seems to have disappeared from P-Moose the blog at present (unless I am just a sightless doink). But I digress…it doesn’t really matter.
Forget labels, the proof is in the music. Chasing Lions has partnered with The Soft Drugs, who offer Side A of their forthcoming vinly/CD release Get Back as a free download.
After having a go at Side A (four times in a row, back to back) I see good things for both the Chasing Lions and The Soft Drugs. I was a bit doubtful of the obvious Beatles tie-in (which are usually dreadful), but fortunately the Let It Be track has nothing whatsoever to do with the Fab Four’s song–except as a lyrical reference. “It could be your Hey Jude. . . It could be your Let It Be…”
The best of this mid-tempo, laid back four-song download is also the most energetic of the bunch. Comparisons are odious, but I Need Space manages to somehow channel GBV in the vocal department, but not in a derivative way…it just sounds –at first listen, anyway– like these two bands belong together on a mix disc in spite of the fact that The Soft Drugs aren’t into the minimal, lo-fi vibe. There’s a healthy energy running through this that holds up well on repeated listens. My only gripe with I Need Space is that the track feels truncated…it’s begging for another round at the end instead of trailing off the way it does. Still, that’s showbiz–always leave ’em wanting more. In this case gents, mission accomplished.
This Boston outfit features former Pedro the Lion member T.W. Walsh. The sounds are described in the press kit as being a cross between indie rock and trad rock…but you won’t hear any of those Jurassic rockers singing about feeling like a “baby on speed”. Nice! Grab the freebie while you can, and we’ll see how that full-length vinyl sounds when it drops this fall. Click below to hear the great I Need Space cut off the freebie Side A download of Let It Be.