Austin Sound

After staking their claim with 2009’s Big Strike in Silver City, Frank Smith is wasting no time in moving forward. They’re shooting to have a new album out this October, which is tentatively titled Nineteen. According to the quartet’s myspace, the album seems to have been originally titled Takers, but they apparently changed it so as not to create confusion with this Oscar-worthy screen-gem. After all, who can compete with Matt Dillon? We’re not sure why it’s called Nineteen instead, but we’re glad to know it’s at least of legal age, especially given the song “L.O.V.E.” that they have shared for download below. There’s a lot here that folks familiar with Frank Smith will dig in the tune - the loping alt-country rhythm, subtle steel, and of course, Aaron Sinclair’s direly graveled vocals. But what has always made Frank Smith so interesting is the unexpected turns they make, and “L.O.V.E.” is no exception. The quiet harmonies and hushed high range that band shifts into in the middle of the song is a surprise, and downright eerie - making us very curious what the rest of the album will sound like. We’ll have a chance to find out tomorrow, September 3, as the band will deliver some of those tunes at the Mohawk with a nice lineup of the Mynabirds and Crooked Fingers. Check out “L.O.V.E.” below.

Texans take their country seriously, but in times when any pop song sung with an accent is labeled as country, there seems little left for enthusiasts of the genre. There still remains, however, a specific, unmistakable brand of the genre that belongs exclusively to the southwest. Laden with lap-steel guitar cries and lonesome harmonicas, the sound has become synonymous with Texas. When Frank Smith (“a band, not an artist,” as the boys proudly proclaim on their website and Myspace) relocated to Texas from Boston, they came with open eyes, and, most importantly, ears. Their fifth release, Big Strike in Silver City, is the culmination of the band’s two years spent in Austin and seals their initiation into Texas culture.

We’ve been waiting for Frank Smith to unload their local debut ever since the group moved down here from Boston a couple of years ago with the fantastic album Heavy Handed Peace and Love in tow. And now we finally have a taste of their upcoming Big Strike in Silver City, which should see release early next year. You can download “Highway Eyes,” the album’s second track below. The song has a great rollicking country feel with a heavy steel twang from Steve Malone.

The band has recently solidified into a rocking quartet behind Aaron Sinclair. They’ll be unloading at Emo’s this weekend, December 13 with the Strange Boys and Darker My Love.

Under the glimmering warm florescent glow of Austin Sound 2.0, we’d like to resurrect one of our favorite lost features: Weekend Preview.

Just as before, each week we’ll take a little time to clue you in on the happenings around town. For each day (Friday - Sunday), we’ll give you our top pick of the night, and then sometimes a couple of alternatives (if the evening is just brimming with activities). So sit tight, we’ve got this under control.

We have to admit we’re a bit baffled by this one, but “Throwin’ Rocks” is a great song, even if the video is just bizarre. What exactly the connection is between sped up make out sessions and stick fighting, we’re not sure, but perhaps y’all can help us out.

“Throwin’ Rocks” is from the Austin by way of Boston band’s latest, Heavy Handed Peace and Love. The group also recently announced that their pedal steel player, Steve Malone, has finally made the move to Austin, so expect some added twang to their shows, which include a benefit for KAOS radio this Saturday, January 12 at the Hole in the Wall, and then at Emo’s on the 17th with Leatherbag and Mice and Rifles.

When Frank Smith moved to Austin this past summer, they brought with them an already solid catalogue of four full-length releases dating back to 2002 and a strong reputation on the East Coast. Most recently the band, which has re-built itself up from the original transplanted trio to a current five-piece, has joined Juliana Hatfield for their �Sittin’ in a Tree EP and toured with the Handsome Family. Not bad credentials to bring to town.

The music of their latest album, Heavy Handed Peace and Love, also fits well within Austin’s progressive alt. country flavor. Braced with solid Americana sound that sweeps into touches of psych-country, indie rock, and tight pop arrangements, Aaron Sinclair’s bitter lyrics and scratchy vocals wrack the ten songs with a skeptical, if altogether catchy, bent.

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Review by John Laird/Photos by Doug Freeman

Riding a massive wave of positive buzz that stems from 2006’s EP Project and the recent release of their sophomore album, The Broken String, on new local imprint Dead Oceans, Bishop Allen joyfully strolled into town with Page France, the Teeth and locals Frank Smith in tow. Each band was doing their best to support their latest full lengths, so all of their sets were spirited enough to peak the interest of even the most unengaged scene kids that were present at Emo’s Lounge.

The trio of Frank Smith hit the stage right about 10pm and proceeded to play a nice set of twangy, simplistic folk. Apparently, the band normally operates as a six-piece, which would have definitely given them a boost in the sound department, but they managed well enough on their own and turned in a decent performance. I believe it’s a good idea to expect to see more in the future from this Austin-by-way-of- Boston outfit.

Of the four quality acts that played, it was the Philadelphia quartet The Teeth who turned in the most pleasantly surprising set of the night. It was filled with a lot of energy and their quirky style of indie pop provided a much needed change of pace from the more folk oriented sounds of the other two opening acts, Frank Smith and Page France. The sweat poured from the group as they flung around the stage, especially the fantastically mustachioed bassist. Check out their latest, You’re My Lover Now, if possible.

It’s hard to fault Page France for not going out of their way to turn their detailed-littered folk songs into foot stomping crowd pleasers whenever they’re in a live setting, as that would probably take away everything that makes their records so good, but it does seem as if they’re getting better at straddling the line between the two. Much of their set actually strayed from the more subtle, slightly stiff performances of the previous times that I’ve seen them, and it was a rather nice change.

My only complaint was that too much of their set consisted of material from their new Page France And The Family Telephone. I think Hello, Dear Wind is just too good to only briefly visit.

Having only moved into town about three months ago, the Austin-via-Boston group of Frank Smith is still getting its feet wet in town, but they are a welcome addition and fit right in with their laid back indie honky tonk rock. Behind Aaron Sinclair’s gravely voice, the group, now sitting as a trio and looking to rebuild, at times seems to take it’s cues on their most recent album, the excellent Heavy Handed Peace and Love, from Gram Parson’s as filtered through a Nineties college sound. They have also just released an EP playing with Juliana Hatfield called Sittin’ in a Tree. You can check out the new guys in town this Friday at Emo’s inside opening for The Teeth, Page France and Bishop Allen.