Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Review: Sunset Rubdown - Introducing Moonface

Obliterate the memory of coming to at dawn...

To my surprise, the 7" picture disc of Sunset Rubdown's Introducing Moonface arrived by mail yesterday. Packaged nicely in a clear plastic sleeve, it is very easy to admire the decorative vinyl into which the two songs "Coming to at Dawn" and "Insane Love Is Awakening" were pressed. The A side features a candid picture of the band (seen here), and the B side has a picture of the sky (taken by artist/friend of the band David Horvitz).

Upon first listen, I'm immediately taken back to Sunset Rubdown circa 2005 when it was still just a one-man band. On the first song, "Coming to at Dawn," only Spencer Krug can be heard on vocals and piano. It's an intimate tune featuring the heavyhearted woes of a languishing Krug. Listening to it on vinyl with all of the fuzz and crackling only adds to the hurting of Krug's heartsick howls. Luckily, after the flip, we hear a more upbeat "Insane Love Is Awakening." This song is almost spoken-word poetry over a very minamilist guitar riff wailing away in the background. Together, they compliment each other enough to create a very solid two-song single.

Both of these songs are much less produced than any song released by SR on their last few albums, which is probably why they will not appear on the band's upcoming release Dragonslayer (drops June 23). Interestingly, according to the liner notes, "Sunset Rubdown is, on these recordings, Moonface and no others."

If you weren't able to purchase a copy of Introducing Moonface, the band has reported that copies will be available at show while supplies last. For a list of upcoming shows, read on:
Sunset Rubdown tour dates:

06/11/09

Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs *#

06/12/09
Brooklyn, NY - Studio B *#

06/13/09
Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's *

06/14/09
Washington, DC - Black Cat *#

06/15/09
Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 *#

06/16/09
Atlanta, GA - The Drunken Unicorn *#

06/20/09
Austin, TX - Mohawk *#

06/22/09
Tucson, AZ - Plush *#

06/23/09
Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex *#

06/24/09
San Francisco, CA - The Rickshaw Stop *#
06/26/09
Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge *#

06/27/09
Seattle, WA - Chop Suey *#

06/28/09
Victoria, BC - Sugar Nightclub *#

07/02/09
Calgary, AB - The Marquee Room *#

07/06/09
Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry *#

07/07/09
Chicago, IL - Epiphany *#

07/08/09
Bloomington, IN - Jake's Nightclub *#

07/10/09
Toronto, ONT - Lee's Palace *#

07/11/09
Montreal, QC - Il Motore *

With Special Guests
* = Elfin Saddle
# = Witchies

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