The Broken West w/ Deep Vibration Fri., Sept. 26.
It comes as no small surprise to find N.Y. dance-pop favorites LCD Soundsystem sitting atop The Broken West’s list of influences. The sound of the L.A.-based, Merge-signed Broken West is, after-all, seated so firmly upon the pillars of guitar-pop that a name other than The Beatles, The Kinks, or Big Star in that spot seems downright blasphemous. But one listen to Now or Heaven, the band’s second LP for Merge, and dubious becomes delightful. Here we hear a rhythmic swing, and a sharp low-end that gives the new album the dancefloor momentum that was missing from its predecessor. Squeeze into Now or Heaven’s standout opener, “Gwen, Now And Then,” for a taste of The Broken West’s newfound adeptness for marrying gliding melodic pop with an insistent rhythmic push. Guitars still steer the ship, but there’s an added emphasis on the atmosphere and rhythmic qualities keys can add, a stronger bass presence and meatier drums. And the result of this confluence of all-things-pop makes Now or Heaven The Broken West’s best work yet. —Bryan Reed$6, www.myspace.com/thebrokenwest.
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