Blitzen Trapper

It starts slowly, with a favorable review on a blog or two. But before you can say, "Volkswagen commercial," certain bands become blogosphere sweethearts. Sometimes the raves are justified, and sometimes bloggers seem to jump on the bandwagon because it's in vogue, because they read it in Pitchfork, or maybe because we all have a subconscious need for sacred cows. I never understood all the fuss about Tapes 'n Tapes last year, and currently, though I know this is hipster high treason, I think Panda Bear and Animal Collective are massively overhyped. Intriguing? Sure, but are these bands really worth all the "brilliant" and "genius" labels?

Blitzen Trapper, however, is one band that has a justified buzz. The Portland rockers' debut on Sub Pop, Wild Mountain Music, spans several styles, jumping from Neil Young to Pavement to Deliverance-style banjo pickin', all recorded on a four-track. It's lo-fi enough to add character, but not so much that it becomes grating.

As a former copy editor, I also appreciate the scruffy-necked crew's knack for appropriate song titles. "Country Caravan" sounds like the type of music you would hear in a cavalcade of countrymen, the title track sounds like a wilder version of backwoods mountain music and "Big Star" sounds like, you guessed it, Big Star. So if you like guitar pop, country, alt. country or indie rock, and you don't like your songs to go much over three minutes (even with ample guitar noodling and noise-- take note, jam bands), you'll find something on Wild Mountain Nation you like.

mp3: Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation