tincan2.jpg

I first got wind of San Francisco’s The Morning Benders when they played with friends and Indie Schmarm favorites, The Weather Underground back in January as part of Airborne Toxic Event’s January residency at Spaceland. The band was quite impressive upon first impression but part of me wishes I had this album at the time because I’m sure I would’ve tried finagling my way up closer to sing along with each and everyone of their indie-pop gems.

Talking Through Tin Cans begins with one of the best opening tracks I’ve heard in quite some time, “Damnit Anna”. At 1:58, this rootsy stomp and clap rocker takes aim at a girl that I’m assuming did singer/guitarist Chris Chu wrong, “Damnit Anna, don’t you look at me that way, you know very well what you did that day”. The next song “I Was Wrong” sets the mood for the rest of the record with it’s Shins’ Chutes too Narrow meets Get Up Kids On A Wire style of layered pop rock rich with hooks and youthful energy. Stand out track on the record include current single “Crosseyed”, “Boarded Doors” (see video below) and “Heavy Hearts” which spends it’s first two and half minutes as a delicate acoustic strum with Chu’s whispered vocals that hit impressive melodies before erupting into a full band roar complete with a chorus shouting “whoa oh’s” in the distance. Talking closes with the brief “When We’re Apart” that recalls early Elliot Smith with a more polished touch.

The Morning Benders already have a heavy buzz around them which I’m sure is due in part to their newly launched label, +1 Records which is an off shoot of the publicity/management company +1 music whose clients include The Kooks, Editors, Two Gallants and others. It’s no surprise then that The Morning Benders will be heading out on tour for the mostly already sold out tour of The Kooks which will swing their LA at The Wiltern on May 19th. In the meantime though you can catch them at a more comfortable venue when they celebrate the release of Talking Through Tin Cans on Thursday May 8th at The Echo.