rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Austin’s Quien es, BOOM! takes inspiration from dusty western landscapes and the everyday survival instincts dominating life, love, work, and family. On Cast Your Burdens Aside the band arranges a strong debut EP that does not rely on throwaway filler tracks to keep it moving; rather, each track contributes to a deeper definition of the band’s sound.
Longtime collaborative partners Jason Butler and Dabney Dwelle share primary songwriting responsibilities as well as vocal/guitar duties for Quien es, Boom! and have crafted a cohesive musical approach incorporating roots, country, and indie rock. Kevin Fender provides complex broken beats, Alec Padron brings the rumbling bass, Nik Snell ads a variety of instruments including piano and guitar, and Scott Shellhamer contributes layered electronics to round out the band and record.
Opener “Brittle Britches” sets the tone with its steam freight train rhythms rolling alongside frantic drum gallops. The jangly and orchestral “Brown of Fall” and the hollow and harmonized “Twenty Eight in Twelve” are also highlights.
Recorded with engineer Jeremy Lemos (Wilco, Stereolab, Sonic Youth) Cast Your Burdens Aside has an authentically gritty feel that, coupled with the quality songwriting and interesting lyrics, makes the 7-track record a great choice to pick up.
– anatol ziege
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