Do you take your suburban existential crisis rock (or, as it’s known in the world of professional angst-ridden melancholic scenesters, “sexcrock”) with a shimmering powerpop glaze? And do you prefer it to contain nary a single sexist rockdude bleat or rawk cliché?
I thought so.
You need Escape Velocity, Finn’s Motel’s debut national release (on Scat Records), and the only record I know of that satisfies all the aforementioned criteria.
Topping the (not inconsiderable) list of Rock Geniuses I Have Shared A Stage With is the architect of Finn’s Motel, Joe Thebeau. I got pally with Joe a lifetime ago when, out of boredom, he joined the
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I was drinking in at the time. Even back then I sensed that he was slumming, but the full extent of his overqualification for the posture-rawk we were banging out remained to me obscured until I got a load of Escape Velocity’s virtuoso pop stylings. These tunes are so loud, soft, sad, and pretty that I blub like a baby whenever I listen to’em. Joe’s my new celebrity crush!
Clearly I’m no music writer, so I’ll rip off someone who is. Quoth the unimpeachable René Spencer Saller, writing in the Illinois Times: “A chronicler of suburban ennui and domestic disenchantment, [Thebeau] writes what he knows — dragging the trash cans to the curb in time for the morning pickup, daydreaming through his daily commute, longing for a way out of corporate purgatory and coming to terms with the possibility that there isn’t one — and therein lies his strength. Call him the John Updike of 21st-century power-pop.”
Fun fan facts about Joe Thebeau:
• he likes sushi
• he’s a member of the Cheap Trick fan club
• he’s a patriarchy-blamer
Listen to
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14 comments
Rene
October 16, 2006 at 12:50 pm (UTC -6)
Thanks for the plug-’n'-link, Twisty. The Illinois Times Web site needs all the traffic it can get! Regarding your claim that you’re not a music writer, though, I beg to differ. Or maybe I don’t, come to think of it. You’re a writer, no qualifiers necessary, and if you wrote a three-volume history of lint, I’d read it.
Mandos
October 16, 2006 at 12:58 pm (UTC -6)
This is like some weird sort of mutual admiration society. I keep seeing these all over teh internets.
Eric S
October 16, 2006 at 1:29 pm (UTC -6)
I swear, I’ve been addicted to that mp3 for the last two weeks.
Twisty
October 16, 2006 at 1:59 pm (UTC -6)
What about “Eero Saarinen”? Somehow he’s captured everything I ever felt about the St Louis Arch in 90 seconds of pure poposity. And “Equilibrium” has become de rigueurfor the contemplative solo drive out to El Rancho Deluxe. I try to time it so it comes on right when I hit the top of the first hill in Blanco County and there’s 50 unobstructed miles of Texas Hill Country at my feet.
finnsmotel
October 16, 2006 at 2:28 pm (UTC -6)
Blushing.
-finn
Pony
October 16, 2006 at 6:11 pm (UTC -6)
Oh geez I opened and played this at the __ educational institute __ computer I used this afternoon and I attracted a crowd. Of two. I am so cool. Problem is I was so confused about who it was. I thought this was Liz’ son Finn. “It’s Finn somebody” I said. Cool they said.
I do seriously like it.
Pony
October 16, 2006 at 8:26 pm (UTC -6)
I’ve spent the last couple hours listening to these four tracks over and over 1234 3241 2314. I think right now, the Dramamine is my favour ite. Check with me at 10 p.m.
Free music. Free great music. Thanks very much.
Pinko Punko
October 17, 2006 at 1:21 am (UTC -6)
OK TF, p’raps it is time to bust out the one page at that website where they make fun of bands’ photos, and how your band made that site?
I say this for two reasons. One, that site was hilarious, but I don’t remember the name. Two, it is way awesome that you were in a band, we doth desire to hear more!
Leo
October 17, 2006 at 4:02 am (UTC -6)
This blog has the best search feature ever. I remembered the post PP was talking about, typed in “band photo” in the search (didn’t even have to press enter!), scrolled down, and voila:
http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2005/12/29/when-i-was-a-douchebag/
That web site really is hilarious.
maggiethewolf
October 17, 2006 at 9:35 am (UTC -6)
Twisty, about 2 months back, you suggested a book. It was about Michael Jackson and other celebs and I was poor then and couldn’t buy it, but I can now. Title?
raging red
October 17, 2006 at 11:16 am (UTC -6)
I bet you’re thinking of A Massive Swelling by Cintra Wilson. I put it on my wish list after Twisty mentioned it.
E.
October 17, 2006 at 11:17 am (UTC -6)
I concur: we desire to hear more about your band. (And hey, don’t sell it short: sounds like respectable punk-tinged power pop to me. I thought “If Team Dresch played an Ultrababyfat cover…” which is no insult, I assure you.) I want to know what instrument you played. I want some stories.
And I definitely want to see your pic on the R&R confidential site. Just give us the “key=” number. Pretty please?
maggiethewolf
October 17, 2006 at 2:50 pm (UTC -6)
Thanks, raging red. That’s it. I’m ordering it tonight!
alphabitch
October 18, 2006 at 8:25 am (UTC -6)
Highly freaking excellent tunes. Shimmering existential powerpop indeed. Life is entirely good. Thanks, Twisty, for pointing it out & thanks, Finn (err, Joe), for the music.