It’s getting to be the end of the year, which is traditionally a slow time for interesting new music. I’m going to scatter in a few songs in coming weeks that came out in early 2011 and didn’t get the attention they deserved. Here’s one now:
Say Hi is Eric Elbogen, who makes records at his home in Seattle. Eric cobbles together a band of musicians whenever Say Hi goes on the road, and nobody stays in the band for long. Eric does not play well with others, it appears, but he clearly knows how to play by himself. Say Hi’s songs are filled with simple grooves and interesting turns of phrase; it’s easy to imagine Eric obsessing about each one alone in his bedroom.
“Devils” rocks harder than your average bittersweet Say Hi song. You hear Eric’s rage in his voice, and the chorus of “Woe is me, indeed” is creepy and clever.