Familiarize Yourself

Black Whales, who hail from Seattle, claim their music sounds like “flowers on drugs.” By this they must mean whatever drugs make one feel happy and mellow. Their music evokes The Beatles in their Rubber Soul era, which I know doesn’t narrow it down much – because what rock band these days doesn’t draw some influences from The Beatles – but hey, that was my instant reaction to the Whales’ sound and frankly it’s impossible to ignore.

Under Seattle-based indie label Mt. Fuji Records, Black Whales have recently released a 7-song EP entitled Origins. I couldn’t find a track listing but I assume it includes the McCartney-esque vocals featured on the band’s MySpace and the same folk-rock melancholy laziness mentioned above. These guys would’ve done well opening for the Byrds on a Dylan headlining tour. (And speaking of touring they’re just winding down from a U.S. tour during which they graced the stage at Schuba’s.)

So, okay, when it comes down to it this is yet another 60′s throwback band. But they do it well, infusing contemporary drum beats, bass lines and guitar riffs here and there that help to modernize and slightly differentiate them from the others.

Check out full songs on their MySpace and snipets of others on their website.