Volume 11

And so the journey continues! Writing now, in the battle tried and true, from Bloomington, Indiana, where I’m learning how to save lives. Not the ordinary kind of life saving, but the basic kind, offered exclusively to anyone willing to sit through 14 consecutive days of 8 hour lectures, and end up on the other side knowing how to deliver babies, what an Epi-pen is, and of course, with a state licensure for an EMT-B (one step above a CPR certified individual).

Contrary to popular belief, this certification actually makes you smarter and more qualified than a physician to deliver lifesaving efforts. It’s true, the lectures of this class definitely make a clear argument that a two-week EMT certification course, although a pain in the ass, actually makes a person “the most valuable person in a community, valued more than doctors, nurses, attorneys, and teachers.” That’s right! MVP baby!

On a personal note, I’m going to wait for my first save to get that EMT tattoo on my arm. I’m very nervous about doing CPR for the first time, but I’m ready to get someone to the hospital in a flurry of lights and scraping metal.

Anyway…what’s in store for some great music? I’ve got some new groups chiming around between the headphone earpieces, and, without further ado….

Among the more curious twists of fates is my crossing of paths with one Sam McCutcheon of Dublin in the last weeks. He instantly promoted a band (which, I believe is the case where he has played on recordings, but is not officially a member), The Laundry Shop (www.myspace.com/thelaundryshop).

Now, before we get to reviewing their Altoid-like album (curiously strong, duh), it should be noted that Dublin, as far as I have observed, is serving as an extemporaneous Eden for a Genesis of great music. Hold on Austin, Louisville, Minneapolis, and Seattle! Dublin has some things appearing out of nowhere, much as a result of their thriving live performance scene, as well as the personal dedication some people are showing to their own productions. I’m going to do something out of the ordinary here and…post some videos!?

Now for The Laundry Shop. Their influences, immediately clear, stem from the strong London and UK rhythmic punk as seen with Bloc Party and what very similar to She Wants Revenge. Thoughtful lyrics and up-tempo guitar sections reminding me in bursts of Silversun Pickups and The May Fire.
If this band, and the others to follow, speak to the uprising of the Dublin bar scene, great! Fantastic! It seems that there exists an even more pressing reason for me to scurry on over to Dublin. It probably falls into the category of things I shouldn’t be surprised about, but I didn’t see a bunch of great music coming out of Dublin. Eyes open, people!

You probably already bought this album, so, ironically, that speaks to the necessity of it being placed here is in case you haven’t. Layered, effected guitars, over an iron-clad backbone of drums and bass complement one of the most compelling, original voices currently in rock. And, amazingly, they don’t stray far from that genre’s center. Bands out there: this is something to strive for. Listeners out there: take notes on how a great band can take a minimalist approach, disregard danceability and pop appeal, and release a meaningful, complete album.