Sunday, February 21, 2010

Song Of The Week: "Écarté du Lucre" (Amanda Woodward)

With all this nostalgic talk and posting of French bands, it's about time I posted a more recent favorite from this little niche. Amanda Woodward is a band that would potentially lose points with me at the outset: their music is neither fast nor heavy, and their band name is a person's full name (Charles Bronson is an exception. Maybe Bruce Campbell...). But in songs like "Écarté du Lucre," redemption comes by way of the ornate mating dance of the dueling guitars that build into those jarring yet somber chord bursts this band seems to revel in. Really it's the dueling guitars that make many of AW's songs memorable, and the gorgeousness of those present in this track set it apart from most of the bands own discography. Whether you're comfortable calling it hardcore or not, it's still beautiful and angry stuff, not to be missed by those of you with a fairly liquid definition of the genre. I saw them once live, and they seemed like very humble and good people (and of course, great musicians. Too bad the crowd was a bunch of unappreciative wet rags). Many of the members are in Aussitot Mort now, but I'm not sure if AW is still playing music.

"Écarté Du Lucre" by Amanda Woodward (from the "Pleine de Grace" 7")

4 comments:

justin said...

No lie man about the dueling guitars and the musicianship sir. Well worth a listen. Reminded me of something, I guess what I always labeled jazz punk (Husker Du, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, No Means No...), but unique still. Must've been nice to see them live. Thanx for sharing that. D/L'd the Excrement of War post as well, so thanx for that too Batguano.

Batguano said...

Dude, I hate being so friggin busy. I feel like it's been ages since I've had the time to visit my favorite blogs like the Relics. I'm working on that. Anyway, yeah it was great to see these guys live (at the Che Cafe no less). Early reviews of this kind of rock used the "jazzy" adjective a lot, so you're right on as usual. As far as Excrement of War goes, I think they'll rock your ass!

Anonymous said...

and that night, we slept in a radio local, as far as i can remember, along with OFF MINOR guys, and there were people coming for their radio show i guess or whatever, and being surprised seeing all of us sleeping and stinking in this room. don't remember much that show...
by the way, we're dead and buried !

Batguano said...

Well, dead but not buried. You still have many admirers. I can see why the show was not too memorable for you, but for me it was massive seeing you and Off Minor kick major ass! Thanks for coming by and for all the amazing music!