daily playlist 6/14/09

self-titled
the commonwealth
2009

for when: you need an anthem

this playlist is a little different...but i've been meaning to talk about this EP for a while now, so i figured i'd kill two birds with one stone, and make it today's playlist. in the interest of full disclosure, i should mention that i've known half the band since we were in diapers, but i think that only gives me a better perspective on this record. i've listened to a lot (and i mean a lot) of john mcnamera (vocals, guitar), and ben elder's (bass) music over the course of my life, and i really like the place they've come to on this EP, with the addition of ben paterson (guitar) and ian conboy (drums) to the band. plus, y'know, they'll always give me a shout out when they cover "molly's chambers".

this record is great, because it's not trying to be anything it's not. the lyrics don't stab wildly at profundity. they talk about the basic shit that plagues all of us in our 20s (and, although i don't think anyone really wants to admit it, before and after as well): failing/flailing relationships ("leave me alone/ you know i won't answer my phone/ don't ask me if i miss you/ you know that i do, too") and figuring out what exactly it all means when it seems like everyone around you, is, well, full of crap ("you just can't see original opinions coming from tv...is there anybody out there who can share my point of view?"). they don't do it in the histrionic, adolescent, garage band way, though, but with a sense of playfulness and a degree of resignation that (dare i say it?) reflects a growing maturity and taste in these guys' musical careers.

there's some diversity among the tracks, from the low-key "moon and sun" to the darker, more sexual energy of "she's a rocker" (a song totally made by the march tempo bass and drums underneath mcnamera's growled vocals). they've got the musical chops to do that versatility (you should see john make the older ladies swoon with his frank sinatra stylings), but the commonwealth is at their best on songs like "small hands", "make out party", and especially "youth in asia". these tracks are basically tight, quasi-anthemic pop gems, uptempo and filled with hooky guitar lines, rich call and response choruses, and the little pop flourishes that i'm such a sucker for (syncopated hand claps, anyone?). i can never understand why people would shy away from making music that is just so flat out enjoyable, but i'm happy to report that pop rock is alive and well and living in falmouth, MA.

[sidebar: ben, in addition to his bass playing, is an incredibly talented designer, and (i think?) does all of their graphics...you can check out a small selection of their posters here.]