Stars & Garters
I was introduced to Lisa Libera as the guy who was afraid of Dave. Dave is the drummer of Muy Cansado who sports chest length dreads and sometimes plays sans shirt and shoes. I’m not sure I would describe my feeling prior to my first Muy Cansado show as scared, but anxious. Appearance is often the first variable used when forming a first impression and given the fact artists so often fall into the stereotypical image of the music they play - indie poppers with skinny jeans and tight shirts, DJs with clean vibrant tees and straight billed hats, and jam bands with long dreaded hair and no shirts or shoes - I had reason to be anxious. It’s startling how bands sprint to fit into the previously sculpted image of a particular genre. I’m most surprised by a band’s look when they have none - when their shirts are practical, when they wear shorts on stage that aren’t cut off and when they are entirely plain.
But, in the case of Muy Cansado I was treated to simple but fun guitar driven rock. At that time they only had a four song EP, but since then they’ve compiled an additional seven songs to create their first full length, Stars & Garters. The album is more of the same in part because the band has identified a style and allowed particular influences to guide them more heavily than others (read: Pixies), but it’s also more of the same because just about every song had already been posted via their myspace or earlier EP. If you’ve been following the band that may be a bit of a disappointment, otherwise it’s frivolous commentary.
The album as a whole is an exciting debut from a local band. It’s not incredibly intricate, or unnecessarily complex - just straight forward guitar rock. Even when songs don’t seem immediately engrossing the band manages to throw in a hook, background vocal, or a catchy bass line to grab your attention.
The only true weak song on the album is Revolution, which seems like a failed attempt at recreating the energy of Telemundo. Perhaps if the track was located elsewhere on the disc the effect would have been blunted but it’s positioned directly after the very good Telemundo which exposes its weakness. But it’s a minor gripe and easily dismissed in the wake of the strength of the album as a whole.
Now, in an effort to gain some exposure, sell some records, and play music in front of people the band is embarking on a tour that will stretch out as far as Texas. The tour kicks off tomorrow in Somerville at the Abbey Lounge. The show will also be their record release party so there will be plenty of opportunity to pick up a copy of Stars & Garters.
Muy Cansado Tour:
August, 15 2008 - The Abbey Lounge, Somerville, Massachusetts - CD Release show with the New Dumb, Diamond Mines & the Prime Movers
August, 19 2008 - The Cave, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
August, 20 2008 – Wonderroot, Atlanta, Georgia with My Greatest Heist & I Want Whiskey
August, 21 2008 - Circle bar, New Orleans, Louisiana
August, 23 2008 - The Mohawk, Austin, Texas
August, 24 2008 - Bar of Soap, Dallas, Texas
August, 25 2008 - Jerry’s Bait Shop, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
August, 27 2008 - Silvie’s Lounge, Chicago, Illinois
August, 28 2008 - Howler’s Coyote Café, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
August, 29 2008 - Wilbert’s, Cleveland, Ohio
Photo Courtesy of MuyCansado.com
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Just stumbled across your blog and I was psyched to see your Muy Cansado review- they’re my favorite local band!
I’m glad you found your way over here and I was happy to write about the band. They’re very talented and very promising.