Artist description The Halcyon Brothers have accomplished an unprecedented feat: they have made an eclectic album that sounds cohesive. Don't believe us? Then just name another band that can sound like Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, and Portishead yet have it all make sense. Put "Divine Satin Blimps," "And Then The Shove," and "I Know" on the old hi-fi and you, too, will be a believer. This is indie rock at its finest.

Music Style An eclectic mix of pure power pop, indie rock, and experimental rock

Musical Influences Guided By Voices, Meat Puppets, Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, Weezer, Ween, Portishead, Talking Heads, Devo

Similar Artists Guided By Voices, Meat Puppets, Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, Weezer, Ween, Portishead, Talking Heads, Devo

Artist History The Kingfisher is a small bird with a cleft beak and brilliant plumage. It feeds on fish that it captures by diving. The poetic name for the Kingfisher is Halcyon. It is said that the floating nest of the Halcyon brings calm to the cruel sea. "A Dusty Bible Leads to a Dirty Life" is the bittersweet introduction of The Halcyon Brothers. Working together for the first time since their collaboration on 1999's acerbic, spoken-word project Squid, Sean McNamee and Kelly Anderson dress their new observations in costumes of power pop, industrial jug band, Time-Life country, and suburban drinking songs. Serving as their muses are Dylan, depression, nicotine, a 1952 Gibson acoustic guitar, and a $13 organ. The naked and soaked emotions on this 14-song release reveal a need for the serenity a Halcyon nest brings. For example, the song "And Then The Shove" explores the "girl-done-me-wrong" archetype that has haunted men with guitars since the early days of rock. Offsetting this are the background sounds, which bridge the musical gap between Guided By Voices and Elvis Costello and The Attractions. "And Then The Shove" is a meaty pop marvel that jumps out of your speakers and holds your ears hostage for 180 seconds. Then we have the album's first single, "Divine Satin Blimps." Boasting the best use of soft-to-loud dynamics since the heydays of Nirvana, the transition into the chorus of "Divine Satin Blimps" will make your face reflexively transform into one of those "I'm rocking" grimaces that you would be embarrassed to have your closest friends see. Moreover, the track prominently features the word "sable." If that is not enough to bring you the serenity you need, cue up the song "I Know," which is the kind of glimmering power pop that sends Rivers Cuomo into epileptic spasms. The Halcyon Brothers combine chiming guitars and sunny harmonies to create a song that is custom-made for cookouts, convertibles, and carousing. In the end, the eclectic sound of The Halcyon Brothers embraces the listener with a clenched smile before stumbling, falling, and ultimately propping itself back up for another round. This is the soundtrack for a rain-soaked sanitarium.

Group Members Sean McNamee--Vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards Kelly Anderson--Vocals, keyboards, lyrics

Albums A Dusty Bible Leads to a Dirty Life

Location Minneapolis, MN - USA

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