Phillyist Playlist: The Broken West at Johnny Brenda's

First things first: The Broken West’s I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On is a great warm weather record. Its sunny harmonies, anthemic rock and roll, and pop single after the next. Listen to it as soon as the weather turns a corner for the better. For now, take a listen to their follow up Now or Heaven. It runs down a different lane of pop presentation, mostly shrugging off the rock and roll parade for a more personal touch that still makes you move.

Now or Heaven still has the singles that get stuck in your head, still reminiscent of Spoon, expanded (check the track “Auctioneer,” after the jump) but this time recalling some ambient sonics through synthesizers. You can tell it took some work to make this album. And through that labor, I will probably be shaking my hips tonight.

I’m most impressed by the closing track “Embassy Row,” which totally feels like an old Josh Rouse track. It’s littered with nostalgia and as the chorus kicks in, it resembles something you’ve heard before, but can’t pinpoint. This track is about a 300 miles from anything they’ve ever done, and it’s one of my favorite songs I’ve heard in a while.

I’m not even totally sure I can pinpoint what makes this album feel so vastly different. That’s part of the reason why I’ll be interviewing the band before their show at Johnny Brenda’s tonight. Check back soon for the digs on the new album!

A.C. Newman and The Broken West
Johnny Brenda's
TONIGHT, 3/17/09, 9PM
$12