Death Ships...

These guys just slipped by me. No other explanation. Death Ships 2006 release Seeds Of Destruction came out in August of this year and I missed it. Just recently the record was brought to my attention as worthy of my consideration (picture me surrounded by CDs with my nose in the air acting all snooty). Here's the bio:

Setting sail from the landlocked environs of Iowa City, Iowa, Death Ships are not what you’d expect. Rather than a band full of heshers, overrun with long flowing locks, cranking out screeching metal from Marshall full stacks, the bands sound eschews this notion by mixing up elements of rock, folk, pop, and alt country. Started as a solo project by lead singer and guitarist, Dan Maloney, in 2001, Death Ships now has a full crew, and is presently promoting their upcoming release, “Seeds of Devastation,” to be officially released Sept. 5th, 2006 on Faithful Anchor Music. This new release builds on the momentum the band has established from playing with the likes of The Decemberists, Pinback, Tapes n’ Tapes, Low, Jets to Brazil, and Sound Team, as well as playing frequently at such Chicago ports of call as Schubas and The Empty Bottle. The record also comes on the heels of earlier success with their single, “Thelma Lou,” specifically chosen and released by Deep Elm Records as part of their “This is Indie Rock” compilation series, and which debuted at Number One on University of Iowa’s college radio station, KRUI. Lauded by both press and blogs alike, Death Ships were declared in the May 2006 issue of Alternative Press magazine as “Unsigned Band of the Month.” “Seeds of Devastation” was recorded with crunk hip-hop/rock impresario, and old friend, Matt Malpass (Young Bloodz, Lil Jon, Juvenile), in the summer of 2005 in Atlanta, capturing all the songs in a week. The band is now prepping for smooth sailing on the road for the rest of 2006.

If I had to point fingers at similar bands I guess I'd be forced to indicate some similarities to Wilco, Okkervil River, Minus Story, Matt Pond PA, Frog Holler. But Death Ships most certainly has their own sound. It's a sound that's most easily identified as guitar based pop but the band has a really good way with their dynamics, letting the songs float, sink, rise, go from ebb to crescendo, all with a well crafted grace. It's really good and is deserving of making some Top 10 lists. I wish I'd caught it earlier, I've already cast some votes.

a song from the previously mentioned "This Is Indie Rock" compilation:

Thelma Lou

When you're done listening to the mp3 go to Death Ships site and listen to "The City Never Sleeps" via their media player, great song.