Formed after the break-up of the stylistically similar Pela, We Are Augustines’ Billy McCarthy and Eric Sanderson took the songs meant for Pela’s second album and worked them up as this debut. This is a grand, confident sound that draws comparisons to Arcade Fire and The Walkmen - not bad for a trio. “Headlong Into the Abyss” is the sound of a band scaling the same city walls as U2, circa The Joshua Tree. “East Los Angeles” is rooted in a folk-like simplicity, but still with keyboards and ambient sounds lurking in the background. “Juarez” sounds like a man demanding more from the system before being led away in chains, while “Philadelphia (The City of Brotherly Love)” works the entire dynamic scale for satisfying drama. “New Drink for the Old Drunk” ramps up the reverb. We Are Augustines aren’t afraid to show the world they want it all.
- Augustines
- The National
- The Horrible Crowes
- Shout Out Louds
- The Boxer Rebellion