Listen: Siberian

By Michael Roffman on January 4th, 2008

Last month, Seattle’s own Crocodile Café announced they would be closing its doors and shortly following that announcement, they did. It’s a shame. For one, the venue holds a lot of history, considering its walls retained much of the grunge explosion of the ‘90’s and more recently the ever expanding indie scene. Another reason might be the local flavor that will surely have to find a new home.

That brings me to Seattle’s own Siberian.

photo by Kyle Johnson

While billed as indie, the band is anything but that. (Though if they’re using “indie” in terms of independent, which is it’s literal meaning anyhow, then by all means bill them that.) Instead, Siberian is a straight up alternative band with a backyard throwback to the moody eclecticism of The Psychedelic Furs or the glamour of David Bowie. It’s exciting to hear something catchy and moody that hasn’t already either been put to screen or looped over a McDonald’s commercial.

With Me, the band’s full 2007 debut, is a revelation for its genre. In a competitive music scene, detractors might link them to Las Vegas natives, The Killers, but only if they ignore the ingenuity and youthfulness in its sound. Songs featuring the shiny crunches in “Belgian Beer and Catholic Girls” or the driving melancholy thrill of “Airship” leave little to yield unsatisfactory results. Moreover, they reveal nothing but a tight band with its head leaning closely towards the door to mass appeal.

They’re not far from it.

Already, Siberian has shared stage space with the insanely talented Wolf Parade, legends such as James Mercer and the Shins, and the ever promising trio Menomena (whom I personally consider music’s championing heroes). They’ve meandered through the West coast, hitting up major cities like Portland and Los Angeles and managed to snag a spot with indie label, Sonic Boom Recordings

Every pair of feet need to find a fitting, am I right?

Look for them in 2008. Start now with their official site

Check Out:
“Belgian Beer and Catholic Girls” [audio=http://teamclermont.com/mp3/siberian_belgianbeer.mp3]
Islands Forever” [audio=http://teamclermont.com/mp3/siberian_islandsforever.mp3]

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::