Yardling, The Demigs (self-released)
CD Review
31.July.2007


 
When making sense of the Demigs’ greatness, it’s easy to list off a bunch of sound-a-likes that make the Denton quartet seem pretty plain. The tangled line of influences strung up by debut record Yardling hits a lot of the usual suspects--Pixies, Fugazi, Strokes, Guided By Voices, Echo & The Bunnymen; ultimately, an idealized list of modern rock icons that come standard on most band bios.

The list is easy to write. What’s harder is Yardling, a debut that jumps right past the “promising” stage to cement The Demigs’ status as worthy members of the great DdFW pop-rock legacy.

From stoic to frenetic, from toe-tapping to throat-scraping, this album hops in all directions, but more importantly, The Demigs pull this off without losing their signature sound and core identity. Each song is punctuated by cocky basslines, pogo-happy drumming, unassuming guitarwork and Chris Demiglo, perhaps the most unique pop-rock lead singer that this city has seen in some time. Think Chris Flemmons’ voice but dressed up real slick and taken to the ball; it’s airy and sweet, not particularly effortful or strained, yet able to hit whatever high--or low--notes it wants.

“We’re turning a deaf ear / cuz we don’t speak death here,” Chris coos on “The 98th Meridian,” a song that puts his higher register voice on clear, lovely display, though two tracks later, it’s a totally different beast. “Throw Me Overboard” takes its title literally; it’s a two-chord alterna-thrasher that the lead singer opens with a Black Francis-style scream: “You’re such a pretty girl!”

Yet even this odd number seamlessly fits in with the Weezer-y 6/8 “Northwest Skyline” only minutes later, its grungy underbelly again heightened by each element of the Demigs’ guitar/bass/drums/vox attack. What’s more, each of these songs--and most of the others in Yardling’s 47 minute runtime--is a memorable gem, full of punctuated blasts of guitar, drum fills and bold, sing-alongable bits (from sure-classic “Humming From Outside”: “I know I know, it’s incessant thinking / a manner of being without the reminder of breathing”) that you’ll recall in concert with perfectly timed slaps of your side to the beat.

Sadly, the production doesn’t befit the band, as drums are brought too far to the front and bury some of the better guitar solos--a shame on a few levels, as those guitar solos are generally restrained in dignified GBV style to otherwise not interfere with the songs. That’s as much of a knock as Yardling’s gonna get today, though, as it’s the kind of all-the-way LP that recalls the range, energy and devotion of The Wrens’ pop-rock classic The Meadowlands. And to think, The Wrens didn’t craft their classic until they hit their mid-30s; how many more of these can we expect from The Demigs? 

Yardling can be purchased at Good Records, Recycled Books & Records or, better still, at The Demigs' Wednesday, August 1 appearance at Hailey's with Dear In The Headlights and The New Frontiers.