Take Off Your Pants is available nwo

Incognito pick of the week: Parallel Play

Bands, let me address you for a moment before I get to my review of Parallel Play. You have a number of ways to catch the attention of me and other potential listeners before we even hear a note of your music You can have a good band name (I have commandments about this), or cool cover art. Or like Parallel Play from Dallas, you can have a provocative album title like Take Your Pants Off. Now, while that name is eye-catching in any case, it is particularly eye-catching because I have two boys (the older of which is almost five) who frequently think that pants are optional.

This album was introduced to me this way: “bluegrass instrumentation in a rock band formation produced by Salim Nourallah (The Old 97′s) and engineered by Brian Lucey (The Black Keys).” Is there any wonder why I was intrigued? The mention of Old 97s was particularly interesting when I heard the first song “When the Trail is Cold.” This certainly features bluegrass instrumentation, but the energy (and the drums) remind me of Old 97s.

Another band that comes to mind when I listen to this band is Yonder Mountain String Band. Yes, I realize this is not a string band. However, it’s not just the melodies but also the harmony vocals that remind me of Yonder Mountain. “Take These Hands” is a good example of a song that falls into this particular category.

And hey, if you look at the track list, you’ll see a familiar song title: “Found out about You.” That’s right. This band covered a song by Gin Blossoms, and it did a fine job. Also, I have to give the band points for vocabulary in “She Smiles Upside Down.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard a band use the words philander and odious in the same song.

There is really a lot to like on this album. It’s a bluegrass sound with a rock n roll beat. It features some really solid musicians and amazing harmony vocals. If you like any of those things, give Parallel Play a try. Take Your Pants Off is available now on Bandcamp.

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