Don't Leave Home Without a Sunset Rubdown Jonathan Migneault

Calum's recent post about Absolutely Kosher Records inspired me to write up a little something about one of that label's newest additions: Sunset Rubdown. The band is the side project of Wolf Parade's co-front man Spencer Krug. They released an LP, Snake's Got a Leg, last year and a self-titled EP earlier this year. Both albums came out under the banner of a small label called Global Symphonic. Sunset Rubdown's upcoming album, Shut Up I am Dreaming, will hit stores on May 2nd, this time on Absolutely Kosher. You're probably thinking, "That’s all well and good but what the hell do these guys actually sound like?" Good question - Sunset Rubdown is to Wolf Parade as the Bell Orchestre is to the Arcade Fire. In other words, they are an interesting side project that's far less accessible than the original band. The one obvious thing Sunset Rubdown and Wolf Parade have in common is Krug's voice. Here, though, not having a co-vocatlist in the band means Krug lends his distinctive voice to all the songs, save for the occasional instrumental track. The production quality here is not nearly as polished as that found in Wolf Parade's Apologies to Queen Mary. Yet, because of this, Sunset Rubdown's music has an energetic raw feel, sometimes absent in Wolf Parade, that is likely to grow on a listener through repeat listens. Perhaps the best point of comparison is Sunset Rubdown's early version of the Wolf Parade song, "I'll Believe in Anything" (found on Snake's Got a Leg). This version relies much more heavily on the guitar than Wolf Parade’s more 'refined' song. It may sound a little harsh on first listen, but it does offer a certain distinctive appeal. Think Lou Barlow's lo-fi recordings of the early 90's. All in all, Sunset Rubdown makes great music for those quiet times in the day; those times when you just want to lie on your bedroom floor and let the music's atmosphere take you away. Or maybe that's just me . . . Download: Sunset Rubdown - Three Colours Sunset Rubdown - A Day in the Graveyeard II Sunset Rubdown - I'll Believe in Anything, You'll Believe in Anything Buy: Sunset Rubdown - Snake's Got a Leg Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary Related: Oi Vey! Absolutely Kosher Records