The story goes that these five San Diego County boys called themselves Blackfeet Braves, then hid out on a ranch built upon an Indian burial ground to write and record their debut LP, expected out in February on Lolipop Records. After listening to the single, “Vicious Cycle,” which they are making available to download, I’m a believer. The lead singer croons with the necessity of one possessed, and the reverb drenched instrumental break feels like a tribal ceremony to summon ancestral spirits. The band brilliantly creates the mood of the song not just through lyrical content, but the arrangement itself. The tempo changes and energy literally cycle from calm and groovy, to frenzied and frenetic, and back again. With references to The Growlers and Allah-Las being tossed around so flippantly lately, these guys actually deserve the best of what that indicates. Grab the download of “Vicious Cycle” from their Soundcloud. If you dig, check them live Friday, January 4 at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana, or more locally, at the Echo on January 7. – Jacqueline Caruso
