Black Gold - Breakdown

I've been spending A LOT of time at the local record shop (Mermaid Music) and I've been getting very interested in local, or at least close, bands. So the other day I picked up my daily Friday haul of records, for Friday is payday, and I went home to listen to some of the pile! On top, still unopened, was this record right here:


Looks good enough, I like the font and the picture shows a MPC, a guy on a keyboard, an acoustic guitar just chillin and a guy taking the picture with flash over his face. Interesting. So I put it on, and this is what I hear:



Wow! A really, really nice mellow acoustic electronic pop song! Right up my alley. I love when album art coincides with the music contained within! Apparently the band is from Santa Monica CA. I'm in Portland, so that's close enough. And hey, it's a local band somewhere right? I just love the idea that some of the artists I will inevitably buy haven't been heard by near anyone. As a musician, that's a damn shame!

With the really poppy drums, interesting high pitched vocals and catchy bass line it really is a near perfect pop song. Makes me wanna do a little dance. It's even got a nice little bit of progression too it also; dropping layers and adding them back in very strategically.

but what a surprise when you flip it over to the B side! It's kind of a crazy name, Breakdown (Version DSMR IV) and I have no idea what DSMR stands for, though maybe IV is for the 4th version or mix? Who knows. Doesn't really matter I suppose! What matters is that it's a toned down acoustic mix of the same song. I can't say it's better or worse, they both shine in totally different amazing ways. I guess you could pick a side based on your mood. That's what I've been doing so far. Here it is!