We Had Pleasure
One of my favorite small record labels in the last several years has been Star Time out of New York. I started when I got the first albums from Walkmen and French Kicks and realized they were both on that label. I saw something about The Jogger's on there about 6 months before they released an album, I couldn't get enough of that first single "Back to the Future". They turned out to be one of my favorite bands, I love both of their albums.
A few months back I was on that site again and noticed a band called Foreign Born. I listened to the track on the site called "We Had Pleasure" and I loved it. I have been listening to that one track on repeat for the last few weeks off and on. I was lucky enough to find a used copy of the 5 song EP they have out yesterday. I really like their sound. I read they were from LA which was a bit surprising, reminded me of another band out of LA that I love called Autolux.
Its hard to exactly pinpoint Foreign Born. The EP starts out and I'm thinking Gang of Four and Joy Divison or something. But then they keep meandering in and out of differeng sounds that fit together nicely. We Had Pleasure, the song that got me into them is second and it is a catchy rocker. Great atmospheric synth backing. It also has drum sounds that remind me of New Order and Joy Division or something the way its processed. You can say they have an 80s influence but I wouldn't say its exactly an 80s throwback sound, there is something new in with it. The third track It Grew on You, feels more modern to me, almost Interpol and Walkmen type of atmospheric guitars. Who are some of my favorite bands. Exactly on the Verge the fourth track, is probably the song I've listened to the most so far after We Had Pleasure. It makes me think a little of Jesus and Mary Chain but more hopeful. It has a certain kind of epic feeling to it.
I realized this EP was released a year ago to the day that I purchased it, makes me wonder if they are going to do anything else. I think this is very promising, its a kind of sound I really can get into.
Looks like they could use some better band photos. Maybe I can help them out someday.