The Districts – The Districts

Artist: The Districts
Album: The Districts
Released: 28 January 2014
Label: Fat Possum Records
Website: thedistricts.bandcamp.com

It is hard to believe that the Pennsylvania raised band The Districts started out as a group of 15 year old high school kids covering Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin songs at local coffee shops. With their new self-titled EP that was just released, the band combines a sound similar to that of Austin, TX based band, White Denim, and even a little bit of The Black Keys influenced sound. In fact, The Districts are even signed to Fat Possum Records, the same label The Black Keys were signed to when they first started out. The Districts self-titled EP includes five songs including two new songs, Rocking Chair, and Stay Open.

Rocking Chair opens with a smooth guitar lick and jumps into a driven and catchy song when the lyrics kick in. I am guilty of having this song stuck in my head for the past couple of days now with the catchy “Woo’s” and “Ooh’s” being tossed back and forth between the band members. The EP then smoothly transitions into three songs from their previous album, “Telephone”. With a pretty driven start of the EP, they do a perfect job at moving into slower, but certainly still driven and powerful songs.If I had to choose, one of my favorites would be “Funeral Beds.” The song starts out with a nice, steady country-like guitar riff that persists throughout. Then comes in the harmonica that meshes with the song without any friction whatsoever. My personal favorite part of the song has to be the ever so subtle, but so mellow and comforting cello that plays in the background. I felt so mesmerized by the warmness the song conveyed and had me listening to it on repeat for days.

The members, drummer Braden Lawrence, guitarist/vocalist Rob Grote, bassist Conor Jacobus and guitarist Mark Larson, are expecting a new, full album to be released later this year in the fall with their two new songs as a part of it. They are most certainly making a name for themselves with a unique sound and I know I cannot wait for this new album to be released. I guess for now, we can only wait and see what this upcoming band has in store for us with a very bright future.

Reviewed by Jacob Reynolds