Good Walkmen interview over at Brooklynvegan. I haven’t had a chance to absorb the band’s latest, You & Me, fully quite yet, but they’re one of my favorite bands. I’m not sure why it took me so long to order the record; I’ve just been slow to buy music this year.  But even with my perfunctory listen I know it’s going to be one of my favorites. I’m sort of puzzled that this record is being heralded as a “back on track” move for the band, since I thought 100 Miles Off was as good as Bows + Arrows. I can see how some people might be put off by Hamilton Leithauser’s voice, but I can’t get enough. His raspy straining always makes him sound like he’s on the brink of total collapse, which just makes the music hit harder. There’s something antique and gauzy about their production, too, that’s alluring. The music sounds not of this time. Leithauser has cemented his place on my good side with this quote from the interview:

So are you guys gonna end up like Pink Floyd where it’s the five core guys and then like 12 other musicians on stage?

Once we get the back-up singers, I think it’s time to pack it in.