I really do hate easy comparisons, even though I opt to utilize them more often than I should. Fact is, when a comparison feels easy, it is more likely a lazy one. The Southern Sea (Official / Myspace), a 7 member outfit from Greenville TX likely falls victim to folks like me opting for the easy route when discussing their infectious, bright and epic second album Theoretically, Yes. Honestly, No.
While the Ben Gibbard-esque vocals of front-man Brad Wofford, melds with the poppy, quirky orchestral vibe that joyfully permeates the album to remind me of recent works by the Arcade Fire and fellow Texans Telegraph Canyon, I don’t have any problem letting The Southern Sea stand on their own. Titles such as “Foxhound & The Red Riding Overcoat” and “Quarks Passing Through a Hypochondriac” lend the album an additional element of whimsy, on top of what the actual songs provide. Don’t get me wrong here, the subject matter can be deceptively weightier than what you might guess and they aren’t looking to be another Polyphonic Spree, by any means. “Quarks” tackles death, and the unknown of what waits for us all beyond this world. I have probably said too much here without really saying much about the actual music, so check out my favorite track from the album below…
LISTEN: The Southern Sea – “Quarks Passing Through a Hypochondriac”
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4 Responses
I’m digging it!
yeah, this song jumped out and grabbed me, but the entire album is good stuff. the DC9 blog has one of their songs in his “local”top 40 for the year, actually…
Yeah, Amanda gave me their album this summer and I’ve been diggin’ it ever since then… good stuff, sir.
I’ll admit that I hadnt heard much about them until i heard a song of their on KXT 91.7…I didnt even know they were “local” until I checked them out after hearing it on the radio…