tangelO

Old Believers - Eight Golden Greats

Yeah, I’ve been really busy the last few weeks, but now I’m back. At least until I have to go get married in a month. At any rate, I’m back for now, and I’m going to do my best to overload you with posts until I have to leave again. This one has been on my plate for a while, and I can’t say enough about it. I really like this album.

The last time I checked, the Old Believers were a sect of the Russian Orthodox Church that cross themselves with three fingers instead of two, and have very long beards. To prove me wrong a group calling themselves the Old Believers sent me an album to listen to. I don’t know what their “old belief” is, but it seems to be a form of very minimalistic folky-country with just a taste of wispy vespers-like vocal arrangements. Sign me up - the shit fits.

The Old Believers are playing solid folk, heavy on the downbeats, and with a heavy-handed style - along the same lines as Mason Jennings, adding a swaying sea-shanty sound similar to the Great Lake Swimmers. Maybe it just has to do with living near the north, but this temperament is not generally seen in popular music, and the driving sounds of country and folk don’t blend in a way conducive to a full album’s worth of listening. I listened to the album from start to finish, and now I can’t put it down.

One of my bets for best Folk album of the year!

Old Believers - There It Is
Old Believers - There It Is
Old Believers - Grannys Song
Old Believers - Grannys Song

The Old Believers have officially released their album, and are currently on a short West-Coast tour. Hopefully they’ll do an East-Coast tour soon! *Hint.

Mon Jul 14, 2008:
Cozmic Pizza - 199 W 8th Ave Eugene, OR

Tue Jul 15, 2008:
Gypsy Town Music - Nevada City, CA

Wed Jul 16, 2008:
the True Love cafe - 2315 K Street Street Sacramento, CA

Fri Jul 18, 2008:
Live on ‘Cool as Folk’ on KDVS

Fri Jul 18, 2008:
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen - 129 E Street Suite E Davis, CA

Sat Jul 19, 2008:
House of Shields - 39 New Montgomery St. San Francisco, CA

Sun Jul 20, 2008:
The Queen Bean - 1126 14th St. Modesto, CA

Wed Jul 23, 2008:
Silverlake Lounge - 2906 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA

Sat Jul 26, 2008:
Raven Cafe - 142 N Cortez Prescott, AZ

Wed Jul 30, 2008:
Neurolux - 113 N 11th St Boise, ID

Sat Aug 2, 2008:
Pickathon Festival

Sun Aug 3, 2008:
Pickathon Festival
Pendarvis Farm - Near SE Foster and 172nd on the Southeast side of Mt. Scott. Happy Valley, OR