the first state of mind
The Spinto Band - Crack the Whip
If you ask someone from Maryland, NJ or Philly what/where Delaware is, they'll tell you it's basically two really expensive tolls between where you are and where you want to drive. It's also where all those credit card HQ's are that they blew up in Fight Club. I went to a wedding there once, where Anders and I were bouncers and the person conducting the ceremony was a Wikken priestess. It comes as no surprise that Delaware hasn't registered on my musical map too often (and barely falls on the map anyhow), but Wilmington's Spinto Band make an excellent case for a closer look.
The group is composed of two sets of brothers and other friends, who met during high school. While still pretty young (college age lads mostly) their album, Nice and Nicely Done is remarkably mature, nourishing, and pure pop pleasure with a great deal of depth to it both lyrically and in its composition. The CD is out on Bar None records, and you can [buy it] direct from the label or [download it from iTunes].
These two tracks come from their website (there's an additional non-album track there as well), and display the range of musical talent and styles they've tapped in assembling their LP. You'll hear bits that will remind you of the Flaming Lips, Zepplin, The Stokes (etc. etc.), but the similarities are just that - this band has synthesized a unique style and sound, which is what makes their music catchy, charming, and satisfying.
They're playing a live show in Philly tomorrow night @ Silk City, and two shows in NYC: 9/17 @ Pianos, and 9/23 at the Mercury Lounge. Check 'em out!