Make these words a part of me -or- I can’t believe this is happening
This is one of those posts that’s equal parts encouraging and a total bummer.
This week SSA-favourites O Pioneers!!! announced their impending break-up. That is the absolute worst, you guys!
I’ve written about O Pioneers!!! as much or possibly more than any other group on this site, frankly. Part of the reason is that I completely fucking enjoy just about everything they’ve ever done but part of it is also that I feel a compulsion to try and make YOU enjoy them.
You can read the previous posts linked above to get a sense of what the band was about but what I’ve got for you today is a microcosm of their work, the cream of Eric Solomon’s brain crop if you will. These are my absolute favorite half-dozen of his songs; it’s a taste of what you’ll get if you participate in Solomon’s final big move. He’s posted what is literally the band’s entire recorded output (aside from four songs; thankfully I have those four songs) onto Canada’s premium on-line punk purveyor, Juicebox as a pay-what-you-want download. It’s mammoth and essential for people who need three live versions of moderately rare 7″ b-sides. In addition to a few short live sets it also features demo recordings of at least one unreleased track. Previously unknown gems!
Now it’s worth noting that these songs are very different from the first to the last. The top-most songs are among the last Solomon recorded, backed (at least in part) by Toronto’s Junior Battles. They have a much more melodic, almost pop sound to them. If you go down to the bottom you’ll find material recorded when O Pioneers!!! was a two-piece characterized as “folk punk” (which in my mind the band has NEVER been; they just liked early Against Me! is all). It’s a big swing.
Make sure you check out as much or as little of this material as you want, but also ensure that you keep your eyes peeled for his next project: Black Clouds (an excruciatingly-appropriate name for Solomon’s typical lyrical content, frankly).
So thanks to Eric for the past and future music. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download O Pioneers!!! - Broken Records: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download O Pioneers!!! - Summers In Necro Norway With Spider Ryan: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download O Pioneers!!! - The Adventures Of John Locke: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download O Pioneers!!! - Remember That Part In "Superman III"...: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download O Pioneers!!! - The Weather Underground: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadBuy their latest album! Or their old albums! Or a cassette! Or the iTunes! Throw the dude some business if you need some fine silk-screening done. His crew is great. I have t-shirts and album covers they made to glow in the dark.
