aaamusic | On 06, Nov 2011

Not to imply that a tragic story automatically makes a song better, but it can certainly uncover new dimensions to it. This, the debut single by Brooklyn based indie rock trio We Are Augustines, is a perfect example of it, on the surface, this is a perfectly serviceable slice of anthemic, indie rock. In fact, serviceable isn’t good enough, it’s rather excellent at points, intimately fist-pumping, like Titus Andronicus tackling Born In The USA. But when one investigates, and discovers that the song is actually a tribute to singer/songwriter Billy McCarthy’s brother, who committed suicide shortly before he started work on the album, and gives lines like the beautiful “I guess your either headin’ somewhere or endin up somewhere / cause I tried the bible, tried the bottle, tried the needle, tried to love people” a poignancy entirely of it’s own. A beautiful record, make the effort to immerse yourself in its world and you won’t regret it.

 

Will Howard