Algiers‘ self-titled debut, due out June 1/2 via Matador, sure has garnered much deserved praise in recent months, as it’s volatile mix of post-punk and soul makes for a music that is both vital and socially necessary. Full of righteous indignation, and determined engagement, the trio of singer/guitarist Franklin James Fisher, guitarist Lee Tesche, and bassist Ryan Mahan bring a rhythmic intensity and raw immediacy to their sonic cause. In a recent interview with The Quietus, Fisher explains a bit more about how the group arrived at it’s potent mix of genres:
“I remember as Ryan and I were comparing song notes, it became increasingly apparent that punk rock and gospel had very similar energies: driving beats, shouting, call and response vocals, group participation, etc. It was enthralling to stumble on the similarities, and it’s something we are still exploring.”
“Black Eunuch” shows off just how right Fisher is. While accomplished musically, it still sounds like the band is working to make the most of whatever is at hand, and that bare-bones appeal is the perfect setting for a charged vocal interplay between the group that swings wildly between angry declaration and ecstatic release. The video for the cut was directed by the UK-based media collective Lamb & Sea, and it echoes the track’s vintage production values with filmic visuals of the band performing in a dilapidated room with cinder-blocked windows. So much for glass ceilings, I guess.
Algiers will kick off a brief tour of the US next month. Here are the dates…
June 5 – The Earl, Atlanta GA
June 7 – Black Cat Backstage Washington DC
June 9 – Mercury Lounge, NYC NY
June 10 – Baby’s Alright, Brooklyn, NY
June 13 – Silver Dollar Room, Toronto ONT
June 15 – Schubas, Chicago IL
June 16 – Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis MN
June 19 – The Sunset, Seattle WA
June 20 – Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver BC
June 21 – Doug Fir Lounge, Portland OR
June 23 – Bottom Of The Hill, San Francisco CA
June 25 – The Echo, Los Angeles CA
