The Bowerbirds : Hymns for a Dark Horse

I'm slow to the listening party on this one, but I'm glad I got there. The Bowerbirds have receieved all kinds of love from bloggers and various media because they are apparently one of John Darnielle's favorite new bands. I usually take notice of those kinds of things because I respect artists like John D., but I slept on this one. Sometimes it's not that interesting and turns out to be someone's former nanny or dry cleaning-pickup-person, but other times, like in this case, I go "whoa, that's good!". When I first heard Olive Hearts, that's exactly what I said...so, "bravo" Mr. Darnielle.

So, onto the details... The Bowerbirds are a trio (two men and a lady) - Phil Moore, Beth Tacular & Mark Paulson - from Raleigh, North Carolina. They're on the Burlytime Records label. Their sound is acoustic guitar-driven folk/americana - rooted in their region's history. The male vocals are even reminiscent of citymate Ivan of The Rosebuds. I tell you, Raleigh just keeps pumping out talent! Burly Time Records' MySpace. The Bowerbirds' MySpace.

The Bowerbirds - Olive Hearts
The Bowerbirds - Dark Horse

The Bowerbirds On Tour:

Aug 17 2007 - Lump Gallery Benefit with Phon - Raleigh, NC
Aug 29 2007 - Schubas Tavern with Casiotone For the Painfully Alone and Papercuts - Chicago
Sep 6 2007 - Troubadour with John Vanderslice - Los Angeles, CA
Sep 7 2007 - The Casbah with John Vanderslice - San Diego, CA
Sep 8 2007 - Modified with John Vanderslice - Phoenix, AZ
Sep 9 2007 - Plush with John Vanderslice - Tucson, AZ
Sep 11 2007 - The Parish with John Vanderslice - Austin, TX
Sep 12 2007 - The Opolis with John Vanderslice - Norman, OK
Sep 14 2007 - The Loft with John Vanderslice - Dallas, TX
Sep 15 2007 - Spanish Moon with John Vanderslice - Baton Rouge, LA
Sep 20 2007 - Black Cat with the Mountain Goats - Washington DC
Sep 21 2007 - Sonar with the Mountain Goats - Baltimore, MD
Sep 22 2007 - North Star Bar with the Mountain Goats - Philadelphia, PA
Sep 24 2007 - The Icon with the Mountain Goats - Buffalo, NY
Sep 25 2007 - Lee's Palace with the Mountain Goats - Toronto
Sep 27 2007 - Rex Theatre with the Mountain Goats - Pittsburgh, PA
Sep 30 2007 - Middle East Downstairs - Cambridge, MA
Oct 1 2007 - The Bowery Ballroom with the Mountain Goats - New York City, NY
Oct 2 2007 - Studio B with the Mountain Goats - Brooklyn, NY

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