#also for the record the song is 'my love is a loneliness' by san fermin which just came out and slaps

[essektheylyss]

tfw a song is almost perfect for writing purposes but doesn't quite match the precise tone of the current section so you have to sit there and decide what the precise tone even is and then figure out what fuckin song to listen to.

[daggerzine]

San Fermin- Arms (Better Company Records)

San Fermin- Arms (Better Company Records)

Ellis Ludwig-Leone’s band San Fermin is back with their fifth album. Nine songs filled with heartbreak from not one, but two breakups Ellis experienced. The emotions truly rise up on this album through the music and the lyrics sung by alternating vocalists Allen Tate and Claire Wellin. The first track, “Weird Environment,” has a rockin’ guitar melody resembling New Order in parts. Allen sings the most toe-tapping song on the album filled with those heartfelt lyrics I mentioned. “Burned my life down to the ground. Emptied out the Hungry Ghost. Wrote a sad song to get it out. If it helped, I didn’t notice.” The song builds to a punch later with driving instrumentation. Here’s the video:

  Next up, “Didn’t Want You To,” Claire steps in to sing with a subtle twang, “I’ll find my way; Out of this place soon; If you didn’t want me, I didn’t want you to.” A beauty of a song complete with added horns. You can watch the video here: 

Track 3, “Can't Unsee It,” brings Allen back on vocals with a gorgeous song that kind of reminds me of Lord Huron or The National for some reason. Love the horns on this one as well. Next is the title track, “Arms,” a bouncy piano ballad where Allen’s vocals shine here. A beautiful guitar solo adds to its lyrics. “Oh, I’m falling for you so madly; As soon as I leave, I just want to come back; And I know this is going to end badly; Cuz it feels like you are the one thing that I have; And who am I to hold you when you have arms for the whole world?”  Here’s the video:

  Track 5, “Makes Me Want You,” Claire takes over with multiple layers of her vocal tracks. Along with gorgeous piano and trumpet, this “makes me want (the song) more.” Claire is also lead vocals on the next track, “My Love Is A Loneliness.” The third single off of the album is one you’re sure to sing along with in no time. I know I have. More multiple-layered vocals that will move any listener to tears. Powerful imagery also in the lyrics: “If everyone leaves and everyone dies; It’s just a question of when; If everyone cheats and everyone lies; Rather it me than them; If the worst should happen; And it will, and will again; I will still be standing; With loneliness, my friend; To start again.” The video can be seen here:

 Next up, “Useful Lies,” is a beautiful, soft acoustic guitar melody sung by Allen. And then wait for it, here come the strings, the harmonies, and the horns that make this song truly soar! Track 8, “Wasting on Me,” Allen and Claire’s harmonies really blend here on this more upbeat song. The beauty of the boy/girl vocals really makes this one stand out. “Never meant to lead you down a road of sadness. But we’ve arrived where there’s nothing to be done. Could pretend there was a moment when we lost it. But we were running different races from the gun.” The album ends with “You Owe Me.” It’s back to Claire on lead vocals with a soft, sad piano-driven melody. In comes the brass that really helps capture the mood. Emotional heartbreak here with, “And I had to get my stuff out of your parents’ place. Your father wouldn’t even meet me in my eye.” The album was recorded at Better Company Studios in Brooklyn by none other than Allen Tate, the male vocalist. A national tour begins in the middle of March(see below). The last time I saw San Fermin was ten years ago at FRZN FEST in Madison. You don’t want to miss this album performed live; I know I won’t. ERIC EGGLESON

https://www.sanferminband.com/

(photo credit Alex S K Brown)

Tour Dates:

3/15: Utrecht, NDL - Birds of Paradise Festival

3/21-22: Boise, ID - Treefort Music Fest

3/23: Salt Lake City, UT - The State Room

3/24: Denver, CO - Globe Hall

3/26: St. Paul, MN - Turf Club

3/27: Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall

3/28: Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon

3/30: Nashville, TN - The Blue Room

3/31: Columbus, OH - The Basement

4/2: Washington, DC - Atlantis

4/3: Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts

4/4: Boston, MA - The Sinclair

4/5: New York, NY - Racket

4/30: San Diego, CA - Casbah

5/1: Los Angeles, CA - Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever

5/3: Pioneertown, CA - Pappy + Harriet’s

5/4: San Francisco, CA - Independent

5/7: Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge

5/9: Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret

5/10: Seattle, WA - Madame Lou’s