| Chicago’s Kaspar Hauser – named after a 19th century problem child – returns with The Sons, a follow-up to 2007’s, Quixotic/Taxidermy. Aptly named, The Sons tackles themes of lineage and responsibility; drawing on Biblical parables, American mythology and a history of irregular family estrangement (recently reconciled by the birth of singer/songwriter Thomas Comerford’s son). The resultant long-player is a rollicking slice of Americana interwoven with blues and rock riffage courtesy of Comerford and fellow guitarist Stephen “The Kid” Howard (Quieting Syrup, Pinebender). Rounding out the group is Steve Kiraly (Reagan National Crash Diet) on drums and bassist Matt Seifert (Cool Devices). A glut of familiar Chicago musicians also guest on the album.
The Sons pulls gently from a long pedigree of influential rock, ranging from Neil Young to John Lennon to Son Volt and Chicago mainstays, Wilco. A guitar riff packing more fuzz than an afghan carries opener, “Not of This World” before “Mark of Cain” ups the ante with a contemporary retelling of the eponymous Biblical tale. After the album-opening one-two punch, the Lennon-ish “MacBeth II” catches you with the right hook and keeps the momentum going. Later, slide guitar and evocative Lou Reed vocals bankroll “Prodigal Son,” another Biblical reconstruction with Comerford as progenitor, confronting the wayward son. The subject matter covered in The Sons is inspired by a Catholic upbringing, filtered through the red, white and blue lens of American culture and history. Comerford’s day job as an instructor at Chicago’s illustrious School of the Art Institute (film and rock history) also influences his songwriting. All told, The Sons is a barnburner of roots and Americana-fueled indie rock evocative of a poppier Trace (Son Volt) or CCR’s Bayou Country as filtered through GbV’s Bee Thousand. |
Hi-res photo: download Download: “MacBeth II (In the Morning)” (MP3) Band Site: Myspace Discography: |
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Kaspar Hauser |
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