Dirtnap were a band out of Kansas City, MO, active from the late 90s to the very early 2000s. Their point of origin should tell you what you need to know about their sound; they were a Kansas City emo band to the core, and share their fundamental DNA with Boys Life and Giants Chair, coming from the post-hardcore-oriented side of emo (as opposed to Kansas City's incredible contributions to emo pop through bands like The Get Up Kids and Proudentall). Dirtnap string long and meandering songs together out of post-hardcore aggression, emo ambiance, and midwest emo beauty. They were a great dose of what is perhaps the most honest form of midwest emo, in the sense it represents a true midwestern sound.
Released in 1997, their first album sits at a halfway point between Boys Life's self-titled first album and Departures and Landfalls. It's a must listen for any fans of that band, and reminds me a lot of Forty Nine Hudson or perhaps The Interstate Ten. Their second album, Long Songs for Short-Term Friends from 2002, ditches a lot of the emo\midwest emo ambient passages in favor of tighter song structures and catchier chords. Despite the release date, it still retains a strong 90s aesthetic, and I'm disappointed we never saw a third LP.
Long Songs for Short-Term Friends is available direct from the band on Bandcamp
No comments:
Post a Comment