Decomposed: The Soft Pack

Not too long ago we told you the Muslims changed their name to the Soft Pack. That's true enough and was likely a good move because now folks can actually concentrate on the music, but it doesn't change the San Diego quartet's BTW status. In fact, proving themselves quite literally a Band To Watch, the guys stopped by the Decomposed studios to offer a stripped-down take on their spare and somehow cuddly Strokes-y, Heartbreakers/Voidoids-inspired garage punk.

It's interesting hearing vocalist Matt Lamkin deliver those laid-back, playfully nihilistic lines ("I've got news for you / Yes, I've got news for you / I don't owe anything to you") over acoustic guitars and upright bass. He's even more liike a preppy Iggy Pop than usual. When we initially wrote about the Soft Pack, we mentioned their Velvet Underground-style detachment: At Decomposed, they add VU-style standup drums to that insularity. We'd also brought up the Replacements. You get less of that here sonically, but it's hard to deny the early Westerberg/T. Stinson bedhead. The band is always spare, but these takes on "Call It A Day" and "Extinction" along with a cover of Tijuana Panthers' "Redheaded Girl" add an especial concision. Unplugged these post punk hooks contain a certain raw power, if you'll excuse the pun. Who needs amps?

Watch the full session now at stereogum.com/decomposed.

Posted at 11:40 AM in Decomposed, Video
Tags: The Soft Pack

Comments (5) latest by kurt

Decomposed: Rivers Cuomo & Friends

Usually the vibe in Decomposed is low key and fairly serious. That is, unless a Rivers runs through it. And after a year full of hootenannies, incongruous collaborations, and breaking world records, this is surprising absolutely nobody. A few weeks ago he put out a call for a pianist and an a cappella group to help decompose some tunes for us. Along with those folks, he brought a pretty enthusiastic up-and-comer named Jermaine Dupri (!). Throw in a cowboy flutist, Alone II tunes, and a Beach Boys cover, and you have a Rivers-sized holiday spectacle.

The session unfolds in three parts: first there's "I Was Scared," on which Cuomo's joined by his hand-selected pianist Sonya Lee and a five-part a cappella group the Dartmouth Aires. For the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby," Rivers goes sans piano and full-on a cappella with the Dartmouth quintet on backing harmonies. And then there's the grand jam of "Can't Stop Partying," which features five acoustic guitarists and three percussionists (from bands Crash Kings, Alkaline Trio, Yellowcard, Melee, Reeve Oliver and Ozma), big-hatted flutist Greg Vail, and Mr. Dupri. Fresh for '08.

You can watch the full session now at stereogum.com/decomposed.

[Photo by Dominic DiSaia.]

Posted at 2:41 PM in Decomposed, Video
Tags: Beach Boys | Brian Wilson | Jermaine Dupri | Rivers Cuomo | Weezer

Comments (13) latest by whistle

Decomposed: Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires are the first overseas group to step to the plate in our Decomposed studio. The English band had a big year, releasing their eponymous debut on XL this past September and earning Cool List cool by NME, who placed the trio at the 10 spot on their top 50 of 2008. Outside the UK, Friendly Fires made showings on year-enders by Rolling Stone and Pitchfork (via the "Paris" remix with Au Revoir Simone), and now they've made a stripped-down showing at Decomposed.

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Posted at 12:36 PM in Decomposed, Video
Tags: Friendly Fires

Comments (2) latest by Peter

Decomposed: The Uglysuit

Recently we unveiled Decomposed -- Stereogum's series of stripped-down studio performances from both established and up-and-coming acts in the indie rock world -- with a session from 2008 breakout act School Of Seven Bells. Today's installment features performances from the Uglysuit. The young psychedelic sextet construct big, catchy, sunny pop songs. The good-time feeling's something the Oklahoma City band clearly embraces:

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Posted at 9:42 AM in Decomposed, Video
Tags: The Uglysuit

Comments (6) latest by Alan Monahan

Decomposed: School Of Seven Bells

High on our list of Things To Accomplish in 2008 was the launch of a new Stereogum video program. So with two weeks to spare, we present Decomposed, a series of stripped-down studio performances from both established and up-and-coming acts in the indie rock world. Kicking things off in this debut episode are School Of Seven Bells, featuring ex-Secret Machine guitarist Ben Curtis and On!Air!Library twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza.

Continue reading Decomposed: School Of Seven Bells...

Posted at 2:21 PM in Decomposed, Video
Tags: School Of Seven Bells

Comments (4) latest by Scott M.