Walking Concert

Walking Concert is the brainchild of Walter Schreifels from Quicksand, Rival Schools, and Gorilla Biscuits. If you are familiar with the first and last bands on this list, then you have an idea of how influential this guy is. If you are familiar with the Rival Schools, then you have an idea what his new band sounds like. They step a little bit more into melodic rock than the previous band, but continue the trend in singer/songwriter Walter's writing style. If you're looking for xxhardcorexx or pre-emo (preemo?) then this might not be the album you want. I personally can't stop listening.

There is one funny thing about the new record, Run To Be Born, that I didn't even notice the first several times I listened to it. Then, as the lyrics began to sink in, it hit me. There are multiple comics references on the album. The most tangential is in the song "Hands Up!" when the lyrics:

You're action figure collection
is fillin' up the kitchen.
But they're not helping,
no more plastic superhero dreaming.

To a comic geek like me this is enough of a connection, but then in two other songs I noticed more. In the song "The Animals" he sings, "fight the evil/Batman/caped crusaders/need directions." And then there is a song, "A Lot to Expect" which partly seems to be built around the theme of transparency and emotion, in which he uses Wonder Woman as a stand in for his ex(?)-lover:

...anyone can see through
it's as clear as the plane that you're flying.
The bracelets you wear might stop bullets
but they can't stop time.

Anyway, all this is just to make a connection to comics to entice you to listen to one of my favorite new records. Just go to iTunes (or your favorite download source) and check out the songs "Audrey" and "What's Your New Thing" for a taste of what the band sounds like.