Company returns with Dear America, the follow up to their 2011 debut LP Holy City released on Exit Stencil Recordings. Penned neither as a love letter nor political treatise, Dear America, reads like a self-examination, a coming of age story, the ups-and-downs of the day-to-day, and all of the emotions associated with life in present day America. The mundane, beautiful, hopeful, and irreverent are treated with equal consideration, making Dear America, a sweeping work of beauty and moves Company up to new heights as a band.
Central to Company’s sound is the ethereal voice of singer / songwriter Brian Hannon. He manages to make Company sound as if Nick Drake was fronting both Big Star and Fleet Foxes. Giant hooks, unforgettable choruses, and a feeling of import are stamped on every song on Dear America. The songs evoke elements of My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses. Tasteful instrumentation compliments each of the songs brilliantly and allows Company to seamlessly transition from intimate acoustic songs (“Bound to Drop the Ball”), to arena-sized numbers (“Opening Night”), and Americana-drenched (“When We’re 49”) without missing a beat.
The production on Dear America, is appropriately lush, full, and a great departure from the low-fi version of Company presented on Holy City. They holed up for a week at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, NC and took full advantage of the environment the studio afforded. We are incredibly happy with the results and hope you will be too!
Also by Company:
Holy City – LP, 2011 (Exit Stencil Recordings)
Company – EP, 2011 (Fat Possum)
Recommended Tracks:
- “Something About You” – Listen to this song and you will hear why James Mercer (Shins) comparisons always follow Company. This mid-tempo, hook-laden song makes the lyrics about “Putting your dukes up” and “Now everybody’s dead” sound delicate and beautiful.
- “Dear America,” – Like a picture postcard, scenes of America pass by while the song slowly builds to a dramatic conclusion. Hannon’s voice is accompanied by horns and America is asked to “stay wasted, throw you credit cards in the air,” while lyrically giving loving nods to classic Modest Mouse and Pavement.
- “Stuck In My Head” – Imagine if Jim James sat in on an unlikely session with Blue Album-era Weezer and The Black Crowes. An amazing exercise in loud/soft dynamics and super catchy.