[Come back later today to download the BEST OF MAY mix.]
Seattle's THE WALKABOUTS are one of the true Rodney Dangerfields of the indie-rock world. No respect.
Sure, they've carved out a bit of a following in Europe over the past decade with numerous releases and extensive touring. But in their home country: Forget about it. For a good part of their 23-year career, they haven't even had a U.S. distributor for their records. Which is a pity. A crime. An abomination.
Because the Walkabouts have been making some pretty swell music over those 23 years. Co-vocalists CHRIS ECKMAN and CARLA TORGERSON have headed a number of different line-ups, but their sound has remained consistent and distinctive through it all. Eckman's deep, growly voice often suggests LEONARD COHEN or SCOTT WALKER, while his guitar-playing evokes R.E.M.'s PETER BUCK -- sometimes by way of RECKONING; sometimes by way of AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE.
The group also has a penchant for the long, slow, and lush. And dark. Southern-Gothic dark. LAMBCHOP has made music like this. And TINDERSTICKS. It's just really too bad so few Americans have had the chance to hear the Walkabouts strut their stuff. This post is a very small effort to change that. To shine a little light their way. To show them a little well-deserved respect.
THE WALKABOUTS on MySPACE.
From the LP ACETYLENE, 2005 >>>
[MP3] "Acetylene"
[MP3] "Coming Up for Air"
From the LP ENDED UP A STRANGER, 2002 >>>
[MP3] "Lazarus Heart"
From the LP SATISFIED MIND, 1998 >>>
[MP3] "Feel Like Going Home"
[MP3] "Free Money"
From the LP NIGHTTOWN, 1997 >>>
[MP3] "Tremble (Goes the Night)"
[MP3] "Slow Red Dawn"
From the LP DEVIL'S ROAD, 1996 >>>
[MP3] "The Light Will Stay On"
From the LP SETTING TO WOODS ON FIRE, 1994 >>>
[MP3] "Pass Me on Over"
[MP3] "Nightdrive"
From the LP SCAVENGER, 1991 >>>
[MP3] "Stir the Ashes"
[MP3] "The Night Watch"
Great to see a post about The Walkabouts they without doubt have a back catalogie well woth exploring most of which will be obtainable through Glitterhouse Records via mail order.
ReplyDeleteHelpless dancer
Thanks for these songs... love the band, but have spent way to less time with them. Maybe it's time to refreshen this friendship! :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Chris. And yes, I agree -- it's easy to take the Walkabouts for granted or even forget about them entirely for long stretches. Thanks to Helpless Dancer for the Glitterhouse info. Nice to know.
ReplyDeleteNow you can get their rare "22 Disasters" EP back in 1984. Only 1000 copies pressed and of course no re-issue. Full artwork included.
ReplyDeleteCheck also at the following links for further info:
http://www.jorras.dk/walkabouts
http://www.thewalkabouts.com/disco2004
Get it now at http://vertigo73.blogspot.com/
Few people have listened this spectacular rock band, they're terrific, you have to listening the vocalist he has an amazing voice like a bull dog barking it's something really exciting.m10m
ReplyDelete