Mashed into the ragged, revisionist matrix of The White Stripes, Andrew Bird and even his old band Squirrel Nut Zippers, These United States possess the gift for making yesteryear’s folk, rock and pop sonics skew new. The brainchild of band leader Jesse Elliott, the eclectic septet’s sophomore effort Crimes, drops Tuesday, and it is easily one of the grooviest efforts of 2008. Even though it sounds like it was made in 1968.
Or further back, taking a quick peek at the band’s video for "Get Yourself Home," which smoothly juxtaposes its arch, dark humor with pieces from over 40 public domain propaganda reels, verite shorts and other Americana from the Prelinger Archives. Indie director Jared Varava felt the free, found viz was a perfect fit for Elliott’s great depressions.
"From the main character, who comes from a 1930s propaganda film aboutthe importance of workers’ unions, to the passing scenes of carnivals, cabarets and the great wild West," Varava explained on the video’s iLike page, "all come together to evoke thecontrasting emotions, environments, sins, schemes, devils and delusionsthat bind us on These United States’ newest release."
If you like what you hear, and see, catch the band’s neo-Revue on the road starting Saturday in Kentucky.
