Cougar Microbes

A few years back I was blown away by Elvis Perkins on one of his first ever shows in England with the band that later became known as Dearland. The individual performances and overall song structures blew me away and inspired one of the first posts on this blog.

Diamond Doves for to all intents and purpose is Elvis Perkins in Dearland minus Mr Perkins himself. I already had a lot of respect for these guys following that live appearance and the superb ‘Ash Wednesday’ album. Furthermore, they began popping up on all sorts of releases by the likes of My Morning Jacket, Bon Iver, Dr. Dog, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Okkervil River .

This respect was cemented when I recieved their debut recordings as Diamond Doves. The tracks possess an endearing warmth on that invites you in, makes you a nice cup of tea, places you under the duvet and fluffs up your pillows.

This initial offering shows a lot of promise and I eagerly await new songs. Meanwhile they are on tour with The Felice Brothers this spring, and play a residency in Brooklyn throughout March. Definately ones to keep an eye on.

TRACKS:

As I write, The Middle East are fresh off the back of a handful of January shows in native Australia opening for indie-folk heroes Grizzly Bear. A fellow Cougar scribe recounts an awkward performance from the Townsville outfit in support of Okkervil River last year in which the three-piece stumbled their way uncomfortably through a short set.

However, on the evidence of 2009 EP ‘The Middle East’, a reworking of 2007 album ‘The Recordings of The Middle East’, these Antipodeans are growing comfortable in the company of more acclaimed piers such as the aforementioned Grizzly Bear, Iron & Wine and Fleet Foxes. Complimenting the spacious song-writing this release is crafted with tasteful, minimalist production. The glockenspiels and sparse pianos on standout track ‘Blood’ in particular refresh the palette and leave the listener thirsty for more.

Let’s hope The Middle East are growing more at ease in front of audiences as the stages seem set to only grow larger.

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Post by Kenny the friendly ghost.

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TRACKS:

The Middle East – Blood

The Middle East – The Darkest Side