There are a lot of good bands coming out of North Carolina these days. And, since I’ll be traveling there (to Wake Forest University, to be specific) this weekend, I thought now was a good time to mention one of them.
Can Joann play the kind of loose, good-feeling, hook-laden rock and roll that everyone from the Kinks to the Strokes have used to fine effect. These guys haven’t quite produced their “Waterloo Sunset” or “You Really Got Me” yet, but if we scale back our expectations just a little bit, there’s a whole lot to like here. Their new record Hurt People Hurt People came out earlier this year, and is well worth a listen or three.
After the Seizure’s Gone
Indecision’s Way
I’m not sure what it is, but the bass line is what gets to me the most. It’s pretty simple, but it perfectly counterpoints the rest of the music and gives the whole thing a thumping, slightly fuzzed-out heartbeat kind of feel. And the whole package manages one of the great tasks of rock and roll: sounding simple and unemcumbered without actually being simple.
You can check out a few other songs from them at their website, and get some more info and album-ordering information.
And, by the way, for any North Carolinans (Carolinians?) in the Winston Salem/Forsyth County school district who come across this before you vote tomorrow, I strongly urge you to vote for Ross K. Smith. I’ve known him for almost a decade and I can’t think of anyone I know more dedicated to education. On top of that, he’s an incredibly smart and caring guy.