At the precise moment Feral Children launches into “On A Frozen Beach”, the fifth track off their sophomore release Brand New Blood, the ferocious percussion kicks into gear. There’s a key element here: the percussion is lent by front-man and standing percussionist Jeff Keenan as well as a second drummer on the trap set. First hearing the song, I noted that it sounded as though the wild, feral side of the band had been contained to a degree. And that concept is fully realized in Brand New Blood.

As in the taming of any beast, the wild side will inevitably remain. “Kid Origami” is a prime example; the song is reserved, yet the band slips in a shout in the background on occasion. “Group Home” begins with a Feral Children signature – Keenan gives his big drum a patterned series of rim shots. In itself, it’s one of those things you’re taught not to do in school outside an infrequent accent in jazz. You’ll find traces of this same disrespect to the norm throughout Brand New Blood. It’s the lifeforce of Feral Children, this breaking of rules. And there’s no question it remains. Just listen to closing track “Enchanted Parkway”, perhaps the most cherished track on the album.

“Rivers Of Forever”, on the other hand, is just as minimal in terms of volume as “Kid Origami”, and like that tune, the band adds in its own version of insanity – a saxophone squeals like Bill Pullman in Lost Highway subtly in the background. Throughout Brand New Blood, Feral Children finds a unique balance between calm melodies and wild hysterics. The tranquility of “Universe Design” comes immediately after the tempestuous “Conveyor”. They sing Brand new blood / Is everywhere in “Inside The Night” and with harmony vocals it sounds like the tranquility after a fresh kill.

All of this, everything – it points to one simple fact. Feral Children has always been a band unrestrained. It has allowed them to shine where others would merely crumble or die. Survival of the fittest. In Brand New Blood, Feral Children is integrating into society. The beast is becoming domesticated, but that wild side is far from gone.

Pick up a copy of Brand New Blood from Amazon.

Feral Children: On A Frozen Beach [mp3]

Sarathan Records [CD, 2010]

1. Kid Origami
2. Castrato
3. Group Home
4. Rivers Of Forever
5. On A Frozen Beach
6. Conveyor
7. Universe Design
8. Inside The Night
9. Woodland Mutts
10. Enchanted Parkway

“On A Frozen Beach” finds Seattle’s Feral Children traveling a slightly different path for their upcoming sophomore release, Brand New Blood. Where their debut Second To The Last Frontier featured ferocious yells and wild erratic percussion quite true to their given moniker, “On A Frozen Beach” is in comparison quite tame. Those early elements remain, but they are now masked by a so-called return to civilization.

If the rest of Brand New Blood follows suit, we may be looking at the earliest of contenders for the top albums of 2010. The album hits in early January courtesy Sarathan Records (although it’ll be available digitally next week).

Feral Children: On A Frozen Beach [mp3]

Yes, War Tapes sound a bit like The Killers. Yes, they seem to be an 80′s influenced bunch of glam rockers. But, look past your pretentious preconceptions for one moment. Then just listen. These guys rock. And they rock steady. The Continental Divide is an album of pure POWER, as well as grace. If you stop to look for their originality, it will be bloody obvious.

There is no reason that “Dreaming Of You” should be the breakout hit for War Tapes. “Use Me” makes sense. But, both of these tracks will inevitably be huge. But, it’s the whole picture of this album that is ultimately the most impressive. There is no logic or structure within the entire package. Just 11 interesting and beautiful songs for your listening pleasure. They just don’t slow down. And that’s just fine.

What band actually has a secret song anymore? Well, these guys do! Just another example of how damn cool this L.A. based band of glamorous gypsies really are. They are a torn leather jacket on a midnight beach. They are a muscle care littered with INXS stickers cruising down your favorite strip. This is intense rock n roll. All that is all that really matters. And The Continental Divide is an extremely noteworthy portrayal of what a steady pop rock band can do if they really give a damn.

Pick up a copy of The Continental Divide over at Amazon.

War Tapes: Dreaming Of You [mp3]

Sarathan Records [CD, 2009]

1. The Night Unfolds
2. Dreaming Of You
3. She Lied
4. Start Again
5. Use me
6. All The World’s A Stage
7. Mind Is Ugly
8. Rightfully Mine
9. Air Filled Romance
10. For Eternity
11. Fast Lane

“Dreaming Of You” was a track off War Tapes‘ self-titled EP, which hit via Sarathan Records sometime last year. Well, it appears again on the upcoming War Tapes release The Continental Divide. The song is an excellent snippet of the sound War Tapes encompasses.

Mixing a deep tenor front with light female backup, War Tapes has a sound that is instantly recognized as powerful. This version of “Dreaming Of You” is a slightly different version than found on the EP; it’s been remixed and remastered.

While it may take listening to the two side-by-side to pull the differences, it’s easy to hear why this band is taking strides with the public. Their sound is full of hard-driving rock yet is subdued enough for the greater population.

The Continental Divide hits the streets on May 26 via Sarathan Records and is available for preorder now from Amazon.

War Tapes: Dreaming Of You [mp3]

Written by Fense

Woah. Where the hell did Sarathan Records come from!? One moment I’m hanging out, minding my own damn business and dreaming of great rock bands and the next moment they’re signing them! First to catch my attention was Seattle’s very own Feral Children, giving SXSeattle one hell of a great performance at SXSW this year. Now there’s War Tapes.

War Tapes is a bit heavier than my usual rock taste (they’re very much on par with local favorites Feral Children and The Pharmacy, so I’m coming around to some of the louder stuff), but boy is it catchy! Take note of “Start Again” and “Dreaming Of You”; these tunes could easily find their way onto mix tapes with The Shackeltons, The Mae Shi, and even some No Age or Oxford Collapse.

God! And check out “Mutiny”, where Neil’s deep and darkly sensual vocals are occasionally backed by Becca’s shouts in the repeated I don’t know / I don’t know / I don’t know… Superb!

Dubbed as referencing subgenres like 80s new wave, post-punk and a more recent post-hardcore, the vocalist certainly has a voice that conjures Interpol and The Cure and the instrumentation follows suit with hefty, distortion-infused guitar riffs. Their self-titled EP (also dubbed Tour EP drops via Sarathan Records on tomorrow.

War Tapes: Dreaming Of You [mp3]

Lead singer Jeffrey Keenan has the voice of a younger Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), if not the wild-eyed nature. His nature is his own and you can see it when he grabs the drum-sticks—that intensely focused look in his eyes. Feral Children have come to be a dominant name in Seattle thanks to these performances and their debut LP, Second To The Last Frontier, is finally ready for public consumption.

And I must say that the album is brilliant. The name Feral Children makes one think of a wild-eyed kid that grew up in nature, isolated from human contact, devoid of social finesse. In a way, the music of Feral Children conveys this well on The Last Frontier. Listen to “Spy/Glass House” and “Jaundice Giraffe” and “Cannibal Prison” and you can hear the wilderness in the tribal percussion (thanks to Keenan’s addition on an extra drum) and in Josh Gamble’s erratic distorted guitar breakdowns, and, of course, in Keenan’s screams.

Keenan is not the only vocalist. Longtime friend Jim Cotton (bass) joins him on vocals occasionally, and even takes the lead on a few tunes. No matter if it’s Keenan or Cotton on lead, the intense vocals that shine through the clutter of modern day rock in songs like “Billionaires Vs. Millionaires” and “Baby Joseph Stalin”, where the Brock-onian style songwriting is apparent both in lyrics and guitar riffs.

The electricity behind Feral Children’s music, whether it is that recorded on a disc like The Last Frontier or performed live, is enormous and beastly. What else would you expect from Feral Children? Second To The Last Frontier is brilliant… a masterpiece!

Above photo also by Fense. You can purchase the album from Amazon.

Feral Children: Spy/Glass House [mp3]

Sarathan [CD, 2008]

1. Spy/Glass House
2. Billionaires Vs. Millionaires
3. Jaundice Giraffe
4. Ex-Blindman
5. Me, Me, Just Me
6. Baby Joseph Stalin
7. Cannibal Prison
8. Lost In The Woods
9. Saint
10. Space Face
11. The Beast = Goldmine
12. Zyghost