These United States is the brainchild of Midwesterner Jesse Elliot. Jesse relocated from the Midwest to Washington D.C. where These United States was born with the help of singer-songwriter David Strackany (aka Paleo). Together the duo -along with around 30 D.C. area musicians- released TUS’s debut album, A Picture Of The Three Of Us At The Gate To The Garden Of Eden. If the album’s title didn’t give it away, Jesse is a big fan of words and doesn’t hesitate to use lots of them (a la Andrew Bird). His songs are full of classic American references such as Mark Twain, Jesse James, and Babe the Blue Ox. While he has received some criticism for his wordy lyrics, Jesse explains to NPR why his songs are the way they are – and why they won’t be changing any time soon: “There’s a lot going on. We have certainly caught much flak for the amount of words and characters that appear in our music. For me, personally, as far as the writing process goes, it’s a way of coping with the serious amount of information that exists in the world these days. Stitching it together in some big, chaotic patchwork is kind of how I make sense of all the pieces that are flying our way and everyone’s way every day.”
These United States
“First Sight” (mp3)
from “A Picture Of The Three Of Us At The Gate To The Garden Of Eden”
(United Interests)
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However, because of the flak Jesse received, TUS’s second album had a much shorter title: Crimes. But don’t be fooled by this reduction: “We decided we’d shorten the title of the second album,” Jesse says, “and then pack twice as many words inside of the album itself.” With Crimes Jesse was backed by a full band made up of Tom Hnatow, Robby Cosenza, Justin Craig, and Colin Kellog. This naturally resulted in a strikingly different sound than that of Picture. Due to the numerous musicians that cycled through Picture, the album successfully encorporated various styles: “Ticking off genres, These United States paint a bold checkmark in the columns of pop, folk, rock, country, jazz, and lounge…and further listens are sure to reveal plenty more.” The music of Crimes is a bit more focused, being described as “One part Rolling Thunder Revue, one part banged-and-bruised balladeering, two parts just plain strange, These United States have their sights set on a rock-and-roll reformation.” No doubt this change had something to do with having a constant band around. Jesse explained to NPR how his surroundings affect his music: “I think a lot of what you’re influenced by at any one particular point in time is maybe dictated by the other people that you’re with. I almost felt myself influenced by different things when I was with David Strackany, as opposed to all these hoodlums.” Together these hoodlums have also released Everything Touches Everything, an album full of “unbridled rock and roll exuberance.”
Get two more PromoTracks and details on their next full-length after the jump…
These United States
“I Want You To Keep Everything” (mp3)
from “Everything Touches Everything”
(United Interests)
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These United States
“Get Yourself Home (In Search of the Mistress Whose Kisses are Famous)” (mp3)
from “Crimes”
(United Interests)
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More On This Album
From a band whose roots come from the Midwest and D.C. and whose sound combines countless styles and pairs them with dense poetic lyrics, These United States stay true to their name by grabbing inspiration from all over. Get ready to hear more when they release What Lasts this July!
Artist: These United States
Title: What Lasts
Label: United Interests
Genre: Alternative : Rock
UPC: 744626010622
Territory: Worldwide
Release Date: 07.20.10
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