America Del Sur – “America Del Sur” (Rack & Ruin Records)
Postpunk Teenage Surf Twang | There we go with a record very likely to enter my 2008 top ten! Rock-orientated Netaudio has become rather usual these days, but this precious lo-fi gem is something special. Brian Wilson-style vocal melodies, jazzy chords on guitars that sound like metal-rimmed glasses and a lot of (North) American Indiepop a la Pavement is what these kids have to offer.
America Del Sur ("America of the South") is basically Phil Cardona and Taylor Ross. Friends from high school days back in Jacksonville, Florida, the band released their self titled debut at Rack & Ruin, a Dutch Netlabel online since early 2008 but with a back catalog of +70 records already.
Here, number 64 is the one you definitely need to know. Cardona and Ross manage to mix angst-ridden Indierock ("Evil Pop") and sophisticated white boy Jazzpop ("I Don't Know You") like a duck takes to water. Their drums sound like shit, the guitars are tied just beneath the chin very probably. There is some Surf in there. But just like for recent NYC darlings Vampire Weekend, it's the fine vocal harmonies that keep the whole thing going- and America Del Sur at heavy rotation in my player. Ace.
MP3 Rock Music Download
Release Site: America Del Sur - "America Del Sur"
Direct Download: "America Del Sur" ZIP
Netlabel: www.rackandruinrecords.com
Artist Website: www.myspace.com/americaofthesouth
About the Author
This article was written on 28.August 2008 by Bettina Rhymes.
Bettina Rhymes is the journalist alter ego of Sven Swift. Swift runs the established CDr- and Netlabel 12rec.net and acts as a Netaudio DJ every now and then. Next to his job at Phlow Mag, he writes reviews about free music at RUBored.org. Read more articles written by Bettina Rhymes.
(14 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5)
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4 responses so far...
Thank you for the kind words! Unfortunately "America Del Sur" are no more, the offshoot projects will be interesting though, and so watch this space!
Dean said on Sep 6, 2008 at 1:20 pm | Commentlink #1
uh... nevertheless, good to have these recordings for everybody to access!
bettina rhymes said on Sep 6, 2008 at 7:22 pm | Commentlink #2
Should be interesting to see what they come up with.
jon said on Jan 26, 2009 at 2:01 am | Commentlink #3
The Picayunes project is being very well received. He has a new EP out this coming weekend which you can download for free from the website.
Dean said on Jun 23, 2009 at 1:54 am | Commentlink #4
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