Front Porch Musings

This record may not be brand new, but sometimes it takes a few months for me to get to all of the music that comes across my wire. One such record is the latest release from American Aquarium. The band’s name, derived from the Wilco tune “I Am Trying to Break your Heart”, is one of the most fitting band names I’ve come across. When Jeff Tweedy says “I am an American Aquarium drinker”, he’s suggesting that he can drink enough liquor to fill a shark tank, and that seems to be pretty much American Aquarium’s Mission Statement. Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, these guys are the best band to come out of the region since a fabled Mr. Ryan Adams started a little country act named Whiskeytown there.

The group’s 2009 release, Dances for the Lonely is a big, hook-laden rock and roll record about women and liquor, particularly about how men relate to each of these themes in their twenties. Frontman BJ Barham leads this Americana act by laying down some of the freshest lyrics about late-night barstool tales I’ve heard since early Lucero. And while the music is pure Bruce Springsteen, the lyrics have enough bite to make this sound something completely different. For instance, on the standout ballad “I Hope He Breaks Your Heart”, BJ croons “You fuck like a woman, but you love like a little girl” behind a slow driving beat that reminds me a bit of The Hold Steady’s “Lord, I’m Discouraged.”

Yet, this isn’t a total heartbreaker. Much of Dances for the Lonely plays like 11 P.M. at the bar downtown. You’re a little drunk, shooting pool with your friends on a Saturday night and boom!, in walks some babe that knocks your socks off. From that moment on, you’re just locked in. Yet, when BJ succeeds on tracks like “Katherine Bell” and “Mary, Mary”, he goes full-in even when he knows he shouldn’t. After all, it is hard to lock down a wild, 23-year old chick right out of college. (especially when you’re a 27-year old marketing dork with a blog) Anyway, the dude gets burned more than once but he sings like he had a pretty good time doing it. That’s a rare thing in any form of music today and because of that, I’m thinking that American Aquarium has a great chance to earn a whole lot of new fans this year.

Dances for the Lonely is an absolutely kick-ass record that should have landed near the very top of my “best of” list last year. They say “better late than never” and that’s a statement that is ringing true over here at The Porch. They are total road warriors playing over 600 shows in 4 four years so be sure to check them out when they come to your town. I’ve got my fingers crossed for some SXSW dates.

Feb 8 2010 10:00P
Parrish Baker’s Pub Oxford, Mississippi

Feb 9 2010 10:00P
The Princess Theatre Columbus, Mississippi

Feb 10 2010 10:00P
The Harvest Moon Albany, Georgia

Feb 11 2010 9:00P
The Garage Winston Salem, North Carolina

Feb 12 2010 9:00P
Pantana Bob’s w/ Corey Smith Greenville, North Carolina

Feb 13 2010 9:00P
The National w/ Corey Smith Richmond, Virginia

Feb 17 2010 9:00P
Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Feb 18 2010 7:00P
Pisgah Brewery Black Mountain, North Carolina

Feb 19 2010 8:00P
Martin’s Roanoke, Virginia

Feb 20 2010 10:00P
The Green Lantern Lexington, Kentucky

Feb 21 2010 10:00P
Stanley’s Pub Cincinnatti, Ohio

Feb 22 2010 10:00P
The Rumba Cafe Columbus, Ohio

Feb 23 2010 11:00A
Daytrotter Session Davenport, Iowa

Feb 23 2010 10:00P
Cicero’s St. Louis, Missouri

Feb 24 2010 9:00P
Mojo’s Columbia, Missouri

Feb 25 2010 9:30P
The Riot Room Kansas City, Missouri

Feb 26 2010 9:00P
White Water Tavern Little Rock, Arkansas

Feb 27 2010 9:00P
George’s Majestic Fayetteville, Arkansas

Feb 28 2010 9:00P
Club Next Texarkana, Arkansas

Mar 1 2010 9:00P
The Hunt Club Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mar 2 2010 9:00P
Private Party Fayetteville, Arkansas

Mar 3 2010 9:00P
Landry’s Fort Smith, Arkansas

Mar 4 2010 9:00P
The Bottleneck Lawrence, Kansas

Mar 5 2010 10:00P
Quixotes Denver, Colorado

Mar 6 2010 10:00P
Triple Nickel Tavern Colorado Springs, Colorado

Mar 7 2010 10:00P
Goat Tavern Keystone, Colorado

Mar 8 2010 9:00P
Southern Sun Brewery Boulder, Colorado

Mar 10 2010 9:00P
Moe’s Englewood, Colorado

Mar 11 2010 10:00P
The Sandbar Vail, Colorado

Mar 12 2010 10:00P
Old Town Pub Steamboat, Colorado

Mar 13 2010 9:00P
Three20south w/ Outformation Breckenridge, Colorado

Mar 15 2010 9:00P
SKA Brewing Co Durango, Colorado

Mar 19 2010 9:00P
Woody’s Tavern Fort Worth, Texas

Mar 20 2010 9:00P
LaGrange Dallas, Texas

Mar 24 2010 10:00P
Chelsea’s Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Apr 30 2010 2:00P
French Broad River Festival Hot Springs, North Carolina

Jul 24 2010 8:00P
FloydFest Floyd, Virginia

Check out some muzzzak….

“Katherine Belle”

“Mary, Mary”

“PBR Promenade”

“I Hope He Breaks Your Heart”

Don’t be a fool…check this out!

http://www.myspace.com/americanaquarium