HEE HEE

In response to "We're playing a pig roast on Oct. 10th" from my last post, my mom wondered if we're playing the pig, the apple or the roaster.

I'm going to go with the pig.

I almost used another of my mom's jokes in my last 8MS article in response to the Janet Jackson costume. I almost said she "looked like ten pounds of mud in a five pound bag". I should have used that as, clearly, my mom is funny.

8MS

Hey!

My new 8MS article for September is up:


eightmillionstories.com

Enjoy!

P.S. We're playing a pig roast on Oct. 10th.

NEW PICS

Hey Y'all,

We had some new pics taken by our good friend Sheri Barclay. Here's one. This is pre-photoshop and uncensored. The version on our myspace page has the NYC skyline and bridge photoshopped out. Heehee.


Bel Air

MORE REVIEWS OF POLE TO POLE!!

I thought I'd share some more reviews that have come in for our album Pole to Pole!

From Americana UK:

Breath of fresh air from Brooklyn

Primarily a trio of songwriters from Brooklyn, Bel Air present two poles of a countrified rock band and a more folky introspective aspect, at times depending on the writer and singer of the respective song. Whichever style comes out on top depends, I suppose, on one’s personal preference but at least they are evenly balanced with some quality writing and playing present throughout. Allison Langerak is the folk chanteuse. Cool, vulnerable and very listenable, she has a posse of songs that range from the good time vibe feeling of “Looking Up” (that belies the song’s message of a wearied resignation to the difficulties of accomplishing just about anything to the excellent “Sometimes” which could have graced a Sandy Denny album. In a similar vein is “Don’t Hold out for Me.” where Ms. Langerack sounds vulnerable and strained over a song reminiscent of The Continental Drifters or The Cowboy Junkies.

Jeff Mensch supplies the majority of the remaining songs. Opener “Used to Believe” evokes The Jayhawks while “This City, pt. 2” harks back to Garcia’s Workingman’s Dead” (with a mention of Uncle John’s Band among other Dead allusions). The pedal steel here (played by Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner who guests on several other songs) is excellent. Mensch also purveys a restrained folkier style as displayed on the song “Goodnight.”

The writing trio is completed by Wyatt Tuzo who provides an untitled instrumental and the closer, “Street fair” both featuring strong acoustic guitar figures. Brenner adorns the latter with some wistful
playing.

Overall a strong debut with some standout songs and one looks forward to hearing more from them.

From Twangville:

For years, it seemed as though it was the louder, more rocking bands that garnered the majority of attention and buzz from indie-kids and the music media in general (see: grunge, or the recent “garage-rock” revival with the Strokes, or even the alleged “reinvention” of rock by Radiohead, Beck and/or The White Stripes, etc…). With that said, in recent times we are seeing a shift in the wave of notoriety away from the many rearrangements of rock’s past to some of the quieter, sensitive and even brooding bands of today. Bands such as Iron & Wine, Swell Season, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver are some absolutely shining examples of acts that throw lyrics that read like classic literature, aching melodies, soft harmonies and relatively sparse arrangements and production into a pot and whip up some pretty amazing concoctions that seem to usher in a new form of Folk that most silver-haired folkies are likely not ready for.

Bel Air, from Brooklyn also bring much of the “Neo-Folk” vibe to the table with their debut CD, Pole to Pole and even expand the formula with a rootsy swagger. The album features lead vocals that seamlessly alternate between Jeffrey Mensch and Allie Langerak. Most of the cuts posses quiet and sometimes fragile arrangements of acoustic guitar and soft percussion. Even the occasional sax and violin creep gently in to lend the disc a sense of diversity that your typical Folk (neo, freak, or any other kind of “folk”) record may not have. Similar to Iron & Wine and the others I mentioned before, Bel Air isn’t looking to make a specific type of album as far as category or genre is concerned. Their influences range from Indie to Brit-Pop and those are all evident here.

With most albums that feature multiple lead singers, I tend to find myself leaning in a specific direction towards a favorite side (sorry Patterson, I seem to dig more of Cooley’s DBT stuff). In the case of Pole to Pole, I find myself favoring the tracks where the Mensch has lead duties, even though I tend to prefer the more rustic, almost Dido-like vocals of Langerak. Hopefully you get the notion that this is a solid and even disc, and it doesn’t suffer from the inconsistent, up and down nature of many discs that feature the dual vocal lead.

Tracks such as “Used to Believe” and “This City, Pt. 2″ both contain elements fo folk and pop and even veer into “Alt-Country” territory without feeling contrived or cliched. The production of Pole to Pole proves to be as valuable of an instrument as the acoustic guitar on the disc. The relatively clean, yet raw vibe of the disc truly does provide the listener with the feeling of listening in on a group of talented friends hanging out with some guitars, a stocked cooler and perhaps even a recording machine that just happens to be running in order to document the proceedings. By Kelly Dearmore


From Fire Drills:

Fire Drill:
Brooklyn just keeps overflowing with its musical talent and the debut from Bel Air continues the rush. Pole To Pole is rooted in the Americana sound which offers a combination of male/female lead vocals and multi-layered harmonies that balance the musically solid album. The record also features slide guitarist Mike Brenner (Marah, Magnolia Electric Company) on several tracks which rounds out its alt-country flavor while building on several members indie rock backgrounds. The cohesiveness of the group and strong collaboration of ideas ultimately creates an enjoyable debut which is perfect for any time of the day listening.

Key Track: "Looking Up"

Band With Similar Fire: Whiskeytown

A WEEK FROM TODAY!!

SHOW!

We are playing next week! I can't wait. Here are the details:

National Underground (Houston between Allen and Eldridge)
9pm
With Rosy Nolan, etc.

If you're not familiar with National Underground, it's a new-ish country rock venue opened by Gavin DeGraw and his brother. Woody Allen's band plays upstairs, members of Drive By Truckers, REM and the Allman Brothers have been known to hang out there and I hear they have a great cheeseburger.

WE'RE HUGE IN BELGIUM

We got another review of Pole to Pole this time in a Belgian alt-country site called Rootsville. The review is, naturally, in Dutch. I did a quick Google translation which yielded some pretty hilarious results. Here are some highlights:

"Indeed, again, because the five is the mustard clearly going to get among the Cowboy Junkies - but without the I - want - which melancholy, Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, Whiskeytown, Neko Case ..... etc. Mike "Slo - Mo" Brenner (Magnolia Electric Company, Marah) damages a helping hand on dobro, pedal and rag stalk"

I foresee us never referring to a lap steel again without calling it a rag stalk. And, we'll probably start saying "damages" too. Like "Man, you really damaged that guitar line! Nice job!" or "That 3-part harmony is damaged, yo!" Oh yeah, and our next album is called "The Five is the Mustard".

Being of Dutch heritage, I have some secret weapons up my sleeve - my aunt, Cobie and my dad. Here is the much better translation that they did:

Allie Langerak, Jeffrey Mensch and L. Wyatt Tuzo are the founding members or the successful garage act "Breakup Breakdown" but were apparently up for a new challenge. It is not the first time in its history that their sites were set on alternative country music/Americana/roots genre and this triad from Brooklyn did not escape this generally rewarding musical diversion. In the meantime, Drew Kilpatrick, drums, a fourth ex - Breakup Breakdowner joined Bel Air and also Matt Hyams, bass, has swollen the ranks. Their debut album " Pole To Pole" came largely from "on the road' to a mobile studio (Philadelphia) and is, according to my humble opinion, not so much about breaking new ground. Indeed, the group of five, clearly reflective of, among others, the Cowboy Junkies - but without the I - wanna -die melancholy, Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, Whiskeytown, Neko case ..... etc. Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner (Magnolia Electric Company, Marah) extended a helping hand on dobro, pedal & lap steel and although the songs clearly have a country music flavor, you cannot avoid the 60's British Invasion and 90's indie rock sounds (songs: "You Can't do Much" , "Street Fair" and "Don't Hold Out For Me") The duo Mensch/Langerak may pocket the majority of the songwriting royalties and that should be able to deliver a nice bonus. The opening track "Used to Believe" , "Riverside Drive" (Shea Hess - violin), "The Last Thing" and "Looking Up" (with Andrew Kilpatrick on drums & percussion) clearly recalls the glory days of country music/rock (SOMETHING HERE ABOUT CAN'T HELP BREAKING OUT IN A GRIN ???). The musical pearls, "Almost" and "This City, pt.2" belong with melancholy Country music; "Sometimes" and the bluesy lullaby "Goodnight" are undoubtedly the marquis of this superb album. Intimate arrangements and multi-layered male and female vocal harmonies. I dare say "dream country" of Bel Air! (SWA)

OH HEY!

Man, August has been a pretty lame month for posting. Sorry about that.

Check out some of our recent press about Pole to Pole:

"BEL AIR - Pole to Pole - Offering up 12 tracks worth of pleasingly mellow’n’melodic laid-back and reflective soft rock, this album gets off to a nicely soothing start with the gently lulling opening song “Need to Believe.”[sic] The basic sound is folksy country suffused with a touchingly substantial amount of regret and melancholy, the vocals are warm and affecting, the arrangements spare, tight and harmonic, and the songwriting clear, sharp and thoughtful. The bouncy acoustic guitars and sweet harmonica playing add a little extra tasty’n’tuneful flavor to the already enticing and engaging mix, thereby ensuring that listening to this album overall rates as a very pleasant and satisfying experience. " - Jersey Beat


"Brooklyn’s sorta-Americana group Bel Air have released their debut album, “Pole to Pole,” a collection of songs created and first performed in the studio. The band sounds vaguely like Cowboy Junkies, but without the I-wanna-die melancholy. “This City” is country the way the Grateful Dead did country, only without the jams, while “Used to Believe” is more reminiscent of Gram Parsons. “Sometimes” is a sad country lament, but “Goodnight” is a perfect send off—a bluesy lullaby. No pretentious fake Southern accent, no forlorn honky tonk twang, nothing but an honest reflection on the miseries of urban life—“This city is killing me,” the chorus wails, and it’s easy to understand why. There’s a few guest shots by Mike “Slomo” Brenner (Magnolia Electric Company, Marah) on slide guitar, but other than that it’s all Bel Air. The roots-rocky record has 5 songs sung by Jeffrey Mensch and 5 by Allison Langerak. The latter are sweeter to listen to, as Allison’s vocals are fantastic, but the former are often better written songs. All in all, it’s a very solid release." - Berkeley Place

EIGHT MILLION STORIES

Hey there! My newest On the Beat column is up on EightMillionStories.com. If you enjoy reading about frat boys and beer pong you should check it out.

On the Beat - August

TP

Last week's lunch time poll was a success. 100% chose "Over". Apparently my roommate and grandmother, neither of whom took part in the survey, are the only ones who go "Under". Not that there's anything wrong with it! The way you put you toilet paper on is nobody's business but you own. It's fine if that's who you are.

COWBOY JACK KELLY VS. BATMAN

Who's tougher? Batman doesn't dance and sing but he does wear a cape.

SHOW REVIEW

Last week Wyatt and I went to the old Knitting Factory to see Joan of Arc. Wyatt is a huge Joan of Arc fan. I, on the other hand, am not a fan - huge or otherwise. They tend to be a little on the pretentious side for me. But, I had been listening to their new album on Rhapsody and was able to get through it without hating it. Progress. Rounding out the bill was Katie Eastburn and Ponytail so I was in for a night of art school rock. Luckily, the Knitting Factory has the best deal on cheap drinks that you can find in Manhattan - 1 can of PBR and 1 well shot for $7. All of their other drinks are typically overpriced so it's nice to be thrown that bone. Good pour, too.

We watched a little of Katie's set. She plays keyboard and, when she's not using a drum machine, does some percussion one-man-band style with her feet. It was pretty cool but the songs weren't ones that you could immediately grab on to.

Then Ponytail took the stage. They look like they're about 17. They definitely didn't dress up for the show and were all sporting those art school haircuts which are just never flattering. I was dubious. Once they started though I couldn't help but love them. Maybe it was the well tequila, or maybe I just like watching 17 year olds rocking out in adidas track shorts. Or, just maybe, they are really good. Judging from the attention they've been getting lately, I'm guessing it's the last option. You don't get a write up in the New York Times for nothing.

Their energetic set flew by. They reminded me of Deerhoof with a more improvisatory vocal style. Very cool.

The bald spots starting filtering in towards the end of the set getting ready for Joan of Arc. I wonder if Ponytail has any reverance for them. I wonder if they are fans.

Joan of Arc was great and I have a new found appreciation for them. Their stage presence wasn't the least bit pretentious. It was endearing and playful. I am definitely a fan now that I've seen them live. I guess that's why bands tour, huh?