Quick, Before It Melts.

Last year, soon after I started this blog, I discovered a beautiful, quirky album called Kiss & Tell, by The Society Islands, which I waxed poetically about over many posts. The Society Islands is actually one guy, Boris Rogowski. Boris operates out of Cologne, Germany, and much like the Italian members of Canadians (see last post), he breaks any kind of stereotypcial mold you might have of German music. Kiss & Tell is a lush, orchestral album, full of smart, sharp lyrical observations all framed in a classic pop aesthetic.

Boris has brought it to my attention that he's ready to release new album, this time as a member of Stationary Hund, the band he and his high school friends started 15 years ago. After listening to their self-titled album a few times now, I'm reminded of the songwriting process of Halifax's Sloan: multiple songwriters bringing their myriad influences and sensibilities together and somehow still turning out a cohesive whole. Besides Boris, there's Moishe Lichtfuss and Dr. Nick handling the songwriting duties (along with playing various bass, guitars and keyboards) and drummer Andreas Kriegeskorte rounds out the 'Hund. All the individual members have been writing and recording their own material, and a compilation albums of sorts is available at the band's website.

If you enjoyed The Society Islands' smart-pop sound (and shame on you if you didn't check them out!) then you'll love Stationary Hund, too. From the deceptively surf influenced opening to "Some Sun" though to the country-like shuffle of "The (New) Work Song", there's bound to be something for everyone on Stationary Hund.

Stationary Hund "Some Sun"

Stationary Hund "Skateboards & Scapegoats"

~ both taken from the album Stationary Hund, 2007 (TRC)