The Broken West are from Los Angeles and their sound encapsulates all that the sunny world of LA represents. Originally known as The Brokedown (until a punk band with a similar name made them change), the songs on their debut full-length sound as if they’re heavily influenced by Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, Golden Smog and the like. I even hear a bit of Wilco circa “Summerteeth.” The album kicks off with a slice of Byrds-y power pop perfection called “On The Bubble” which comes with all the necessities…jangly guitars, thrashing tambourine work, a swirling keyboard is introduced in the middle of the first verse and the obligatory handclaps! “So It Goes” kicks it up a notch and then the third song, “Down In The Valley” takes it down just a little bit, with perfect harmonies emphasizing the chorus. As you may have heard, that there has been described as the instructions to making the perfect mix tape. And that’s exactly what “I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On” is. It’s formulaic, and not entirely original but certainly appealing to any fan of the well assembled pop-rock song.
The Broken West will be performing in Toronto at El Mocambo with The Long Winters on March 27th.
Download:
On The Bubble mp3
Down In The Valley mp3
The Broken West on myspace
Purchase “I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On” over at Merge Records.
Labels: big star, broekn west, golden smog., i can't go on i'll go on, indie, merge records, pop, teenage fanclub, wilco
