While everyone has – and is entitled to – their own preferences, for me the perfect place to digest a new CD is driving in my car. I know, I know – Daniel Blue and plenty of others would probably point out what an outdated, non sustainable and downright environmentally evil way that is to listen to music – but there’s just something about it. Tell the earth I’m sorry.



Loud music in the car is awesome. There’s no way for me to get past it. I love the way the drums knock around in my chest thanks to the close confines of my Volvo, and there’s nothing quite like the way a crunchy guitar, lit cigarette and open windows make me feel.



Alive. Vibrant. Cooler than I actually am.



In that light, today I waited until my drive home from Weekly Volcano World Headquarters to dive into this week’s record. When I say “this week’s record” I mean record to be reviewed on www.weeklyvolcano.com, but you probably caught onto that. I’ve been doing this for a few months now — Thursday comes. A record gets reviewed. It’s not rocket science.



Anyway, this week’s lucky band is the Liars Club from Seattle. They sent me a four song, self released, little shiny demo disc sometime in July — and out of the impressive pile of promotional garbage that sits in the corner of my office today I picked it out. It had attractive packaging, and four songs seemed like something I could get a feel for during my half hour drive home.



First of all, if you’re long enough in the tooth or educated about Northwest music, the name “Liar’s Club” might sound familiar. We’re not talking about the local pop band from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Make no mistake. This band – officially “the Liars Club” – is completely different. The band’s rejection of apostrophes is just the start.



The disc opens with, perhaps, the Liars Club strongest song — “Wide Open Beaver.” (When you’re done giggling like a junior high boy, please continue.)



The song is thick, and heavy — perfect for a drive home from the office. The promotional flyer that accompanied the demo says at the bottom:



“Musical Influence (Sounds Like): Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu, The Kinks.”



For a self assessment, it’s not bad. The Liars Club has definite levels of osmosis QOTSA. I was instantly reminded of my all-time favorite QOTSA record R — a pretty good sign in my book. Singer K.C. Rehberg’s voice is in its element, and the guitar work of Chris Craig along with the drumming of Aaron Nichols is tight as can be. The disc’s first track had me loving the Liars Club.



If “Wide Open Beaver” showed off the band’s QOTSA influence, “Wedgwood Hop,” the disc’s second number — shows off the band’s Don Henley, “Boys of Summer” influence — and I’m not sure it’s intentional. For the band’s sake, I truly hope it’s not. Elements that had sounded so promising on “Wide Open Beaver” became cheese-dick on “Wedgwood Hop.” While the song does highlight the band’s melodic and poppy song writing capabilities, “Wedgwood Hop” also sounds like its been chaffed and roughed up by Glen Frye’s five-o’clock shadow face — and I’m not even talking good, Eagles Glen Frye. I’m talking Miami Vice Glen Frye here.



“Trust Fund” is a rebound track. It doesn’t amaze, but after the Phil Collins like assault of the previous song, almost anything is improvement.  Rehberg’s voice sounds like it’s not stretched beyond repair, which is a pleasant return, and the steady bass of Alex DiFabio reminds the listener of the Liars Club rock potential. The song is a pretty standard rock tune, but if you’re taking in the Liars Club for the first time — like I was on my ride home — the band’s demo is two out of three at this point. Not bad.



The disc finishes with “Born on a Friday,” a six minute demonstration of everything the Liars Club has in their tank. Softer than “Wide Open Beaver,” but not as nearly as laughable as “Wedgwood Hop,” “Born on a Friday” goes back and forth between rock and pop intellect  — utilizing time tested loud/soft dynamics – and meandering through a cozy but rough edged rock aesthetic. The result is truly impressive.



The Liars Club demo opens with the band’s best rock song, and finishes with their best all around product. With one halfway decent tune and one clunker packed between – I’d still say the Liars Club has a pretty decent batting average. If nothing else, the Liars club is certainly a player to watch. 

LINK: The Liars Club Myspace