Dirty Impound

There’s still a pervasive notion that rock ‘n’ roll isn’t a smart medium, and while dumbstick fun has its place, there are happy, brainy exceptions like Arbouretum, who are savvy enough to tap Carl Jung’s Red Book for inspiration for their latest album, the glorious, early Best of 2011 contender The Gathering (released February 15 on Thrill Jockey). What’s extra cool is how hard and heavy The Gathering brings it while throwing the band’s lyrical reach into heady notions of existence, identity and the nature of things. Dave Heumann (guitar, vocals), Corey Allender (bass), J.V. Brian Carey (drums) and Matthew Pierce stir up a grand, shaking racket without dumbing down the conversation, creating a song cycle that’s slow to give up all its intricacies but a pleasure to dig around in as one makes their way to the center.

We asked Dave Heumann to ponder our signature philosophical segment. We figure anyone hip to Jung is gonna be swell at our silly little musings!

pot cookies and a jam with Jerry!

Inquiry comes in many forms – a child’s raw pawing, the studied examination of academics, the bluster of politicians, the curved funhouse wisdom of pop culture figures. It’s an intrinsic part of the American character, and sadly an aspect that’s being boot-stomped in the 21st century, where this country seems to increasingly delight in ignorance, distraction and blind tribalism. So it’s uplifting to find a band called These United States keeping this forward reaching pioneer spirit alive in their own rag ‘n’ bone way, bringing their tiny caravan to any city that’ll have them and shaking their moneymakers until a few kernels of wisdom and joy hit the collection plate.

In only a few years TUS have evolved into such a lovely unit – melodic yet rough edged, playful yet capable of tearful sincerity. They are the children of Dylan’s Rolling Thunder bunch, the late 60s Woodstock refugees and Woody Guthrie, yet also tempered by some very modern touches, not the least their honest POV on the state o’ things. There’s more than a little bardic about them, but the peels of pedal steel and gorgeously trundling drums help extend the ever-testing palm at the end of their collective mind, creating a thing all their own, a gift they give with wide arms to those willing to dream aloud by their side.

Their latest slab is called What Lasts, which niftily straddles the yawning abyss and winks at what’s staring back. Death is a tough dance partner and yet These United States take him for quite a spin, further streamlining their jangle into a sharp point that slips between our ribs, waking us up to the idea that “this life, right here, right now” is precious and good despite all the faults and failings. As they note, “There is no justice, just this occasional grace,” and still there are myriad reasons to smile and stare skyward and let wonder have its way with us. That they make this heady ontology caper a jig and kick up sawdust is also wonderfully American and more reason still that they deserve their name.

Given what thoughtful guys they are, we wanted to see what TUS singer-songwriter-gad-a-bout Jesse Elliott had to say to our philosophical meander.
Walt Whitman passes out with joy!

Smart people tend to also be smart-asses, and that’s certainly true of Plants And Animals. This trio of wise-yet-wriggly East Coast Canadians seems wiser than the average monkey but also ever-ready to grin or put a cheeky spin on things. Their fab recent album La La Land has serious loft and obvious smarts but often paired with pop culture tickling titles like Tom Cruz and American Idol along with a clear grasp of pop techniques. Amidst a sound that’s both strangely familiar and endearingly elusive, Plants And Animals strike one as thoughtful guys, which is why we asked them to chime in on our philosophical segment. Here’s what drummer Matthew Woody Woodley had to say.
Scotch with Jesus, Nina Simone and Oscar Wilde!

We pick the nimble and strange brain of Devendra Banhart.

pondering the questions of the ages

Digging into the big questions with Todd

Hot dogs on the beach with dad and Django