02/1/2010
Today’s diamond in the rough is anything but rough. I found Falcorps more through a series of coincidences rather than any research.
I wish I could say I was immersed in the local music scene; going to dive bars and little holes in the many walls of the Capital in search of fresh expression. I’m a big fan of the idea. However, I’m generally too busy, lazy, or out of the loop and end up missing out on such opportunities… Something I think I might like to change this year.
BUT! on one of the rare occasions that I did find myself watching some local bands perform, I found these guys. If the music scene in Michigan is anything compared to Falcorps, I’ve been missing out big time.
Now there is a funny story behind how I came across them, but that might have to wait for another day, I’ll sum it up this way: I was standing, shirt tattered and covered in red, sticky, sickly sweet blood, in a crowd of zombies; all moaning and singing along with the chorus “Brains, I like you for your brains”.
For a local band composed of college students (many not specifically music majors) they quality of the writing and instrumentation is excellent. Multiple violins, woodwind instruments, acoustic guitar and a pair of gentlemen (with a distinctly indie folk, almost nasally sound) harmonizing in turns with a pair of lovely female vocalists. Definitely an indie/folk band, but what I think stands it apart from the relentless stream of similar sounds in the genre is the witty, fun writing and the skillful combination of sweeping, often sorrowful instrumentation without losing that cheerful poppy indie sound.
The track “thorn bugs” is one of my favorites. The breakdown in the middle is exactly what I want from, and love about my college experience. I wish I could explain this better, but give it a listen and think about that one night you met that smart young girl/guy and spent the whole time just listening to music, talking about current events and mutual acquaintances. Subtle, appreciative smiles; brief, strong eye contact; sitting or standing close, but never so close that you couldn’t misinterpret it for something else. The hours roll by, and the subtle crescendo seems to be coming closer: that cinematic moment at his or her door, standing in the pool of light from the porch lamp, and then… “goodnight”
and that’s all she wrote.
But! If you like the sample, check them out here: http://www.myspace.com/falcorps
It’s a shame that they are broken up now, their last show being this past July. However, the last time I talked to a friend in the band, he told me they were working on a full length album. *Fingers crossed*
