Harp Magazine
Sep/Oct 2006
American Princes
Less and Less
The “new” Southern Rock? Connect the stylistic dots between
today’s crop of below-Mason-Dixon dwellers—say, Memphis’
Lucero, Athens’ Drive-By Truckers, Charlotte’s Sammies,
Nashville’s Kings Of Leon—and you’ll come up blank if you’re
trying to discern a unifying sonic thread. Unlike during the
Allmans era, today’s regionalism is dipping from a broader musical
palette. And Little Rock’s American Princes, on their third album,
are all over the canvas. One detects elements of the Shins (quirky,
raucous opening track “Stolen Blues”), Ryan Adams (acoustic
ballad “You and Me”), Big Star (the pure powerpop of “Copper
For Sand”), even Paul Westerberg (the ‘Mats-like “Never Grow
Old”). Not to mention the best tune here, “Chaos Control,” which
with its yearning, high-pitched vocals, background trumpet motif
and swelling, anthemic vibe, could pass for a New Pornographers
track. The Princes aren’t even originally from Arkansas, but New
York City, where they lived until 2003. So don’t let the labels fool ya.
-Fred Mills
Shows
Summer Shows TBA
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