(Barsuk Records/Shock)

Re-release of 2006 opus from Seattle songwriter John Roderick

The Long Winters is a circle of musicians led by singer/songwriter John Roderick.  His latest record Putting The Days To Bed is an immaculately crafted American indie rock record, Roderick’s impassioned vocals often resembling a blend of Robert Pollard’s verbosely melodic phrasing and the barroom poetics of The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn. The music blends rowdy guitar anthems in the tradition of The Replacements (Rich Wife, (It’s A) Departure) with more restrained meditations, such as the leisurely pedal steel melancholy of Honest (featuring guest spots by Decemberists’ Chris Funk and Death Cab For Cuties’ Chris Walla) and lovely sun-bursting opening track Pushover. Roderick makes sure the record’s appeal won’t be limited to indie hipsters either, by coating the songs in warm, classic rock arrangements, rich in Hammond organs, pianos and rousing horns. This re-release provides a great opportunity to discover one of last year’s overlooked little gems.

***½

MATT THROWER

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