A bloody war is being waged on our land. Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the land, in a state north of South Carolina, an endless battle is being waged between a number of musical entities. Who shall be the alpha Carolinian? Before there was Bowerbirds, there was Archers of Loaf. Before the Archers of Loaf, there was Superchunk. Somewhere between all these folks was rap phenomenon Petey Pablo. In fact, this whole first paragraph was an excuse to remind you that Petey Pablo was a guy who put out music and encouraged folks to take their shirts off, twist them ‘round their heads, spin them like a helicopter. I am nearly positive that he had little to do with Bowerbirds’ third album The Clearing, out on March 6 through Dead Oceans. Could be wrong about that one, though. Petey Pab!
Regardless of the influence of the patron saint of North Carolina rap guys from about ten years ago, that album is coming out. And Bowerbirds have weathered some pretty serious stuff since putting out 2009’s Upper Air (TMT Review). For one, the band’s central couple, Philip Moore and Beth Tacular, broke up and subsequently got back together. Serious stuff. Tacular also almost died after being sent to the hospital by a mysterious illness. Even more serious stuff! The two also adopted a dog and lived in a cabin, which are less serious and more just kind of adorable. Hear how all that stuff comes out in The Clearing’s opening track “Tuck the Darkness In.” Beyond that, they’re going on tour this spring, starting on my birthday. Shucks, Bowerbirds, I didn’t know how much you cared, considering that you’ve never met me or have had any contact with me whatsoever.
The Clearing tracklist:
01. Tuck the Darkness In
02. In the Yard
03. Walk the Furrows
04. Stitch the Hem
05. This Year
06. Brave World
07. Hush
08. Overcome with Light
09. Sweet Moment
10. Death Wish
11. Now We Hurry On
Bowerbirds dates:
03.17.12 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
03.21.12 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
03.22.12 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
03.23.12 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
03.24.12 - Boston, MA - Paradise
03.26.12 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa
03.27.12 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison
03.29.12 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln
03.31.12 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural
04.03.12 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
04.04.12 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
04.06.12 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
04.07.12 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
04.08.12 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
04.11.12 - Austin, TX - The Parish
04.12.12 - Dallas, TX - The Loft
04.14.12 - Birmingham, AL - The Bottletree
04.15.12 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
• Bowerbirds: http://www.bowerbirds.org
• Dead Oceans: http://www.deadoceans.com