I post a lot about indie bands influenced by '60s girl groups and the Spector sound. That usually means I'm writing about a relatively new group or one from the C86 wave. What sets the Aislers Set apart, however, is the band kept that iconic sound alive between 1998 and 2003.
The first album was, more or less, a solo act. Amy Linton made 'Terrible Things Happen' in her basement on an 8 track reel to reel that was mixed to two track analog tape. That D.I.Y. aesthetic would be a hallmark of all three Aislers Set LPs, but Linton assembled a lineup of seasoned indie players from the San Francisco area for the other two albums. Today's selection is the middle child. 'The Last Match,' from 2000, was my first purchase from Slumberland Records. Don't get me wrong... all are worth owning, but I'm not alone in thinking if you can only have one of the three Aislers Set records, this is the one to buy.
With the exception of "Balloon Song," a cover by the Fourteen Iced Bears, all songs on "The Last Match" were written either by Linton or guitarist Wyatt Cusick. If Cusick sang it, he wrote it. Same goes with Linton. The following songs are my favorites from each of these fine musicians. If you are a fan of Camera Obscura, you may know "Chicago New York." The Scottish band was friendly with the Aislers Set and used to cover the song on tour from time to time. I think you'll find the the tune sounds a lot like early Camera Obscura or Belle & Sebastian. Good stuff.
The Aislers Set - Chicago New York (mp3)
The Aislers Set - One Half Laughing (mp3)
No comments:
Post a Comment