Left And Right – Left And Right (leftandright.bandcamp.com)
Out of the several bands that caught my eye at Macrock in Harrisonburg this year, Left And Right was a pleasant surprise. Their live set was full of energy and enormous gang vocals. It reminded me of a time in music that I hadn’t revisited in many years, a time when the most important bands to me were Hot Water Music and Jawbreaker. I can still listen to those records with keen ears and enjoy the reminiscence. Yet in recent times, I have rarely made an attempt to go out of my way to discover bands that have inherited this musical thought and taken it further. Left & Right are the perfect heir for this genre and they represent it well in this geographical region.
Left And Right – Left And Right (leftandright.bandcamp.com)
Out of the several bands that caught my eye at Macrock in Harrisonburg this year, Left And Right was a pleasant surprise. Their live set was full of energy and enormous gang vocals. It reminded me of a time in music that I hadn’t revisited in many years, a time when the most important bands to me were Hot Water Music and Jawbreaker. I can still listen to those records with keen ears and enjoy the reminiscence. Yet in recent times, I have rarely made an attempt to go out of my way to discover bands that have inherited this musical thought and taken it further. Left & Right are the perfect heir for this genre and they represent it well in this geographical region.
Their self-titled release begins with “Harry’s Code,” and it helps to showcase the separate personalities of each songwriter. Guitarists Phil Dameron and Daniel Merchant exude the many influences that make up Left And Right’s dynamic. “Code” in particular highlights the punk tendencies of the group, with shouted, forceful vocals that evoke their approach in a live environment. This song is one of the closer testaments to the vibe I caught when I saw them play.
One of the strongest showings on this album is “You’re An Animal,” which incorporates a familiar chord progression with a snappy melody that carries itself well into one of the best choruses on this release. This is one of the more relatable of their songs, and it shows a great understanding for how the band can help tired, somewhat cliché ideas feel fresh. This song also shows the way Left And Right take a somewhat Jawbreaker-like approach to their tunes, then throw in aspects of mid-nineties indie rock as a means of conjuring up something that is truly their own.
The loud riffs found throughout the record help to demonstrate their embrace of these nineties sensibilities. “Yo, Yeardley” and “Brain is a Body Controller” are filled with sensational guitar patterns, which act as strong introductions for both tracks. Fans have compared the group’s sound to Built to Spill, Pavement, and Dinosaur Jr., and I can see why. It’s through these influences that Left And Right are able to set themselves apart from many of their peers, and incorporate these ideas in ways that enhance their musical prowess.
Although Left And Right’s current line-up has been predominately featured on their past two releases, their recorded sound still lacks a certain fullness. Bassist Andrew Abbott was one of the strongest components in a live setting, with his impressive basslines and powerful stage presence. It’s always a challenge for any band to get this element across on any release. It’s even more difficult to achieve when you are working through DIY means. The songs are impressive and the variety helps showcase the band’s talents. However, the songs found on this release are best heard in a room with the band and the crowd singing along together–making this the perfect soundtrack for nights in basements.
Charlottesville, and Virginia, are all the richer for having a group like Left And Right to call their own. This third full-length provides signs of where they’re headed. The next year or so could help establish the group within the East Coast music scene, and with an impressive full-length to show off, I don’t see why Left And Right should have any trouble winning over new audiences.
