The Broken West preview

The Broken West
Schubas, Chicago
Monday, September 15, 2008

For their second Merge Records release, Los Angeles’ The Broken West retain their label’s distinctly indistinct crown.

There’s a lot to like about The Broken West — even more on this fall’s Now Or Heaven than 2006’s I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On. The way Ross Flournoy’s vocals pop on “The Smartest Man Alive” recalls Sting, and some stiff, electric drum lines make their card-carrying indie rock instantly danceable. Yet, as Go On failed to outrun its Teenage Fanclub and Wilco debts, Now sounds more like the fourth Shins effort than West’s second. The melodies — despite hinging frequently on The Byrds and Midwestern power pop — feel reluctant, content to hide them in the back lot instead of revving them to make the sale. Bassist Brian Whelan, who makes his songwriting debut on “Got It Bad,” has the nerve to draw the band out and it works: His cloudy synths and Revolution snare pop would have James Murphy jealously drooling on his LCD monitor. For the rest of the album, that drool’s from napping.

The Builders & The Butchers open.

— Steve Forstneger

Click here to stream “Gwen, Now And Then.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly