As we get back on the road this week, The Decline has made the 2010 honors list over at Dagger 'Zine from Portland, Oregon alongside great records from The Posies, Weezer, Owen Pallett and Nada Surf!
"THE DECLINE-(SELF RELEASED)- This is one of the more enigmatic records I’ve listened to in years. In a good way, that is. Because the band relies on simple song structures and even-simpler lyrics about simple topics (found love, lost love, desired love), I really want to hate it. Yet the record, a straight-ahead power-pop issue reminiscent of the Posies, is likable at its core and endearing at its very best. The secret lies in the halting hooks delivered by Ryan Beerman (who also plays lead guitar, a neat trick employed by few bands this side of the Apples in Stereo). Beerman’s outstanding voice, a low-tenor/high baritone, never wavers, holding its own alongside the band’s at-times attacking guitars and dead-on harmonies. The Decline does, indeed, decline a bit after the first half — making it like an LP dominated by Side One — but the first four songs are nonetheless especially strong. Special honors goes to “Lotta Lies,” with a beautiful guitar riff from REM’s Reckoning-era playbook, and “Don’t Leave, Don’t Go,” which, if there’s any pop justice, would be widely covered by some major-label artist who could make this band a mint - Andy Geigerich"
Wow, thanks guys!
The Decline Tour continues this week in Ottawa, Montreal, Kingston and Peterborough. We can't say enough great things about the bands that we have the privilege of playing with over the next few weeks... The Diableros, of course, with new material being showcased and sounding better than ever. The mighty Woodrunners from Ottawa, perfect roots rock grit and tunefulness. First In Space, from Ohio are getting some great buzz for their new disc, Geronimo... Alert The Medic, Nightwood, The Fine Print... So amazing.
