Red Feathers - I Wander (Single Screen 2008) 5.29.8 Eric Nielsen
Single Screen is releasing some of the bands made popular in this town through shows put on by Action jackson. I've played a couple of his shows with my solo project eSen and he treats folks right well. He's got his fingers on the pulse of a slice of the SD scene. This Red Feathers release continues mining the vein. It's representitive of a certain flavor of the local scene. It sounds like this seaside town, reminding me some of established units like BHP, Mr. Tube, and newer groups like The Swedish Models and a little like The Vision of a Dying World. It sounds like a weekend night out on this town. It's a good reflection of what is going on right now and you can thank Single Screen for archiving some of these moments in time. If you've been out drinking at Scolari's, The Tower Bar, The Beauty Bar, The Che or the Casbah this album might jar some of those alcohol suppressed, lysergic memories.

This 5 song ep in a paper sleeve doesn't indicate a title thought I've seen one mentioned on other sites, I Wander. I guess I'll go with that. You've seen these guys playing all over town lately, (often at an Action Jackson show). I've read the press (lots of people on stage, raucous party, fits in with other acts well) but not seen the band.

What is it that personifies this current of SD sounds? Is it the up tempo romp of multiple guitars and upbeat tempos? Are playful or fun good words to describe it, what's underneath? Does it sound like a drinking band? Some of this reminds me of the Black Heart album Amore Del Tropico. It sounds created under the gusto aura of set the drinks up, knock 'em down and please the crowds on a weekend night bar. The vocals break on the edge of fracture over a crescendo of sounds splashing through the mix, sometimes the piano, sometimes the bass, other times the drums rise up and batter the coast of your spirit. It's a never ending assault on your everything. The dynamics are minimal, the respite from the pressure slight, the energy steady and constant, the sound is confident.