I’m never particularly comfortable “reviewing” albums. I’m not a writer per se, rather just a music lover with a blog. I’m certainly no critic and tend to lean towards the ol’ if you ain’t got nuthin’ nice to say…say nuthin’ train of thought. Plus let’s face it, music is subjective and I really don’t think I can tell you what you like, rather just offer up my thoughts on what I like, and offer-up some audio for you to listen for yourselves.

So a few weeks back, this dude, Chris Demiglio, contacted me about his band The Demigs. He said they just put out a CD and are in need of some reviewin’. So I told the lad to send it along, and I’d take a listen.

First let’s catch-up…

The Demigs were started by Chris Demiglio after the demise of two local bands, Wellwisher and Robin Goodfellow. Having been in two bands with such opposing styles (Wellwisher being an American effort at brit-pop, and Robin Goodfellow dabbling in post-punk noise and structure) it seemed natural to combine the two.

Soon after the band was expanded with the addition of Annie Ramage on guitar, Brad Row on bass, and brother Mark Demiglio on drums. The four struck out for the Denton and DFW scence, striking up a modest but loyal fan base.
With graduate school looming in the distance, Annie Ramage stepped aside, leaving room for Eric Lee to join.
What resulted was a pop-savvy vehicle that was able to use sonically distorted guitars, quirky lyircs, and catchy melodies to create a familiar, but distinctly original, way of making music.

With their live show in place, the four of them decided it’s way time to come out with an album. The thought behind Yardling was to pair the recording conditions and proceedures of an indie band, with the toe tapping, ear pleasing sensations of pop.

So I’ve been driving around these past couple of weeks with Yardling in my CD player. At first listen, I liked it. At second listen, I liked it even more. At 50th listen, It’s found a place and shall remain in my CD player for the time being. While the band’s sound is pretty consistent throughout, each track is just slightly different than the other, keeping an A.D.D. listener such as myself entertained and interested. Case in point, the tracks I’ve posted below – note the extreme difference and likability of the tracks “Throw Me Overboard” and “Cashing In.” I’ve slowly but surely fallen completely in love with Yardling and The Demigs, and can’t wait to see the band perform live and meet them in person.

The album features a range of musical genres from post-punk to soft-screamo to folksy shoe gazer to indie rock. Bottom line, it’s a solid CD worthy of your hard earned coins. In my opinion at least…and my opinion is…this album rocks.

Andrew McLemore of The North Texas Daily writes…“reminiscent of early Oasis, The Strokes and The Decemberists. The last is a particularly apt comparison as both groups attain the complex mixture of hummable radio anthems and artistic integrity”…

Pretty fair assessment.

Go see ‘em tonight at Lee Harvey’s. You’ll have a blast. It’s prom night here at FineLineLive.com headquarters. I might as well sit at Lee Harvey’s and worry about the girl-child’s safe return than sit at home. Buy me a beer?

Friday, May 4th
Lee Harvey’s
The Demigs / The Cut*Off
8 PM – No Cover

Where to pick up a copy of Yardling
Strawberry Fields – 2310 W. Oak Street – Denton, TX
Recycled Books – 200 N. Locust Street – Denton, TX
Good Records – 1808 Greenville Avenue – Dallas, TX
Hastings – 2311 Colorado Blvd. – Denton, TX

“Throw Me Overboard” by The Demigs

“Cashing In” by The Demigs