Sep 24, 2009

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First and foremost: introductions are in order. Boston indie rockers Mean Creek (named after the 2004 indie film/Rory Culkin vehicle of the same name) are Chris Keene (vocals/guitar), Aurore Ounjian (vocals/guitar/harmonica) and ex-Tulsa members Erik Wormwood (bass) and Mikey Holland (drums/percussion). The scrappy quartet's '90s re-appropriations on successful 2007 debut, Around the Bend, quickly evoked R.I.Y.L. bullet points for Built to Spill, The Lemonheads, Pixies and Throwing Muses. The group is moving past meager beginnings two years hence.

The project that started as a folk duo in May of 2006 finally mutated into a full band last fall, with the additions of a bassist and drummer. Their sophomore longplayer, entitled The Sky (Or the Underground) follows in the wake of lineup changes. (That's the zombified Abe Lincoln cover to the right.)

Whimsical boy-girl vox, meandering lead guitar and head-over-heels percussion typify the new direction on "Light Into Dark" (offered above for the first time). "Gotta stop burning our hands on the stars / find somewhere to level out / even if we've got to fly up to Pluto or Mars," emotes Keene and Ounjian on the smoldering rocker. The twosome's starry-eyed wonder bring to mind Viva Voce's early albums. Added bonus: check out the band's YouTube channel for some behind-the-scenes clips.

The new album is out digitally now but a physical release is slated for October 13th, on Old Flame. As a band blog mentions, "You can purchase it at Amazon.com, iTunes, or for SUPER cheap HERE at Aime Street!" "Level out" at Mean Creek's remaining tour dates below (for more click here):

09-27 Central Square - Cambridge, MA
10-04 Live on Boston Emissions WZLX 100.7 - Boston, MA
10-06 The Space - Portland, ME
10-09 Piano's - NY, NY
10-10 The Paradise - Boston, MA %
10-28 Middle East (Downstairs) Cambridge, MA $

% w/ The Everyday Visuals, The Great Bandini, Magic Magic
$ w/ The Whigs, The Features, The Dead Trees