popwreckoning

Kill Rock Stars artist Panther is giving their final roar. They’re calling it quits and their last show is in their hometown of Portland, OR.

The show is Dec. 20 at Rontom’s and is free to the public as a thanks for all the support beginning when Panther was just a small solo project for Charlie Salas-Humara.

During their time as a band, Panther released three albums and toured the world supporting bands such as Gossip and RATATAT.

Rumors are that the members already have new musical endeavors and you can bet we’ll keep you posted as we hear them.

Panther: website | myspace | @ berbati’s pan

Here at PopWreckoning, we’ve officially hit a level of mail that makes it impossible for us to give full reviews to every band. However, this does not mean we believe that these bands shouldn’t be granted some for of press. It simply means we have to scale it down a bit. Therefore, we have opted to create a feature called Bite Size Reviews, which shall appear several times a week. This feature will contain 5 reviews each under 100 words and links to the albums website, MySpace page or label. We believe this is the best use of our mail and hope you too enjoy the reviews. They are as follows:

Thao – Know Better Learn Faster

With a 33-second intro of a chain gang chant, complete with handclap poignancy, you’ll expect a jumper and a revolutionary from albums past. Well, let’s just say that the Thermals split they did earlier in the year for Record Store Day was a preemptive move, since you have a little of the Thermals pop persistent throughout. Maybe even edging out their Alterna-Folk ground that was evident on We Brave Bee Stings And All. Social-mixer-and-mix-tape-friendly, with even a few tracks to dance to, like “Easy” and “Body.” “Fixed It!”, however, is a song made for Wednesday night group karaoke.

website | myspace | @ First Unitarian Church | @ Electric Factory | @ Terminal 5 | interview with | @ Liberty Hall

-

Lucero – 1372 Overton Park

This album should be taken with a box of tissues, as Lucero rounds a hill of ragged southern blues to its repertoire. Word is, that this record sounds more like Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers and Tennessee, but those slower unrefined drawls bring on an even stronger Memphis soul, with a seriously smoky edge. True, that “What Are You Willing To Lose” maintains that upbeat organ choir uprising, but the album is a toying game between emotions—rebellious cries both amorous and longing. At least with Tennessee the instruments were creative and full, whereas 1372 just sounds like you’re outside a motorcycle rebel dive bar or a truck stop diner.

website | myspace

-

Panther – Entropy

Panther begins by playing a little with your mind. The first track, “Latitudes For Centuries” sounds a bit like a Broadway warm-up, with an echo of ethereal vocals overpowering an introduction of piano. From there, it’s anyone’s guess. True to its history, the play-through sounds like it was a one-man (Charlie Salas-Humara) act that gathered a partner and a brand new direction. This adventure is just that, less electrical and more dancy-melodic. “Control Yr Ships” will quickly be an album favorite—the echo-ey voices returning with definite vociferous and keys presence. “Springwater” gets a bit too Dirty Projectors for me in a short chorus, but what’s left off the record is sincerely intelligent fun.

website | myspace | @ berbati’s pan

-

Fink – Sort of a Revolution

This is technically an artist doing the a.k.a. deal, whose real name is Fin Greenall, and whose day job is songwriter, producer, and DJ. A Sort of Revolution is masterfully crafted, from the writing to the production, and given his resume we’re not very surprised. The fourth album strings along Greenall’s beautiful rhythm and blues voice in matching syncopation with intensely focused acoustic guitar plucking. Simply speaking, a record made for chilling out with a slicker vibe. This definitely isn’t folk, so take that you acoustic demographic. And in a flawless addition to his already stellar collection of full-lengths, you’ll be happy to know that it was a John Legend collaboration that set this record to a new tier of awesome.

website | myspace

Last week I was lucky enough to catch a double release show at Berbati’s Pan by two of Portland’s better bands. If they weren’t both on Kill Rock Stars, Panther’s funky dance punk and the Shaky Hands roots rock might seem like an odd pairing. But genre difference aside, they both deliver high energy performances. The only disappointment that night was that Panther’s set was way too short. They have tons of material. The crowd was into it. I guess I’ll just need to come back sometime when they headline.

It’s no longer surprising that two member bands can be exciting and dynamic, but most of those bands stick to stripped down or fuzzed-out rock, folk, and blues. Sure, they are exciting, but how many of them make you dance? With just a drummer, a guitarist, and a pre-programed bass/keyboard, Panther delivered a flailing and inventive set. At times, Charles Salas-Humara’s vocals and guitar are almost percussive, making the songs very beat oriented. I love the jerky rhythms of “Live Is Sold” and “Latitudes for Centuries,” but really just about every song they played that night was catchy, wild and fun. Fans of the Dirty Projectors should definitely check them out.

The Shaky Hands’ Let It Die is full of meaty rockers, continuing the progression from indie folk towards classic rock started on Lunglight. While Nicholas Delffs‘ strained nasal voice gives the songs urgency, the guitars propel them forward with a mix of comfortable strums and powerful riffs. This music is meant to be played and heard live, although the songs sound pretty good on the album too. I like how on “Slip Away” the beat stutters while the vocals swagger until finally the guitar is let loose. “Allison And The Ancient Eyes” rolls along, riding cymbals and hand-claps, while Delffs spills regrets. The night ended with Panther coming back on to join the Shaky Hands for their second encore and a chaotic guitar and vocal freakout.

The Shaky Hands: website | myspace | @ the slowdown
Panther: website | myspace