A laid back, bluesy bounce, a fat bass riff, and an unnervingly catchy vocal line color the psychedelic mystique that is San Cisco’s song “RUN.” The Australian band, already established as being a little zany from their 2012 indie pop zinger “Fred Astaire,” continue down the rabbit hole with “RUN,” the first single off their sophomore album Gracetown, released last month (March 17) via the band’s own Island City Records.
The psychedelia is especially pronounced on the “RUN” music video through extravagant colors and retro visuals –>
Watch: “RUN” – San Cisco
[youtube=https://youtu.be/PLb57RNlqJc?t=0s]Vibrant music video aside, “RUN” is a fantastic song from a young band that continues to excite. Straddling a line between MGMT and The Black Keys, San Cisco offer a balanced swirl of atmospheric and melodic sounds that consistently pushes “RUN” to new heights, keeping it exciting and fresh all the way through. Unique from its onset, “RUN” starts with just the backbeat – a combination of traditional percussive instruments and sampled exhalations (that’s right – human breaths). This beat is quickly accompanied by the song’s melodic bass line – another all-too-uncommon device. Lead vocalist Jordi Davieson joins in as our narrator, telling the story of the girl he should never have met.
That is, if you can understand all the lyrics. Thankfully there’s no Australian/American language barrier, but Davieson’s style of singing and the song’s production are such that the vocals often fade into the song, making individual words difficult to decipher. Perhaps there’s a reason for that: “RUN” offers a strong vocal line, but its story is relatively played out. Sometimes song lyrics are second rate to the music – and that’s alright.
And I can be all that you want, baby don’t talk talk – don’t talk
This, however, is not one of those times. The clever catch (and savior) to the “RUN” storyline comes in the song’s earworm chorus. Singing in high falsetto, Davieson attempts to take control of the situation: “And I can be all that you want, baby don’t talk talk – don’t talk.” Opting to stay with the seductive mistress, our narrator goes for the power move.
In some ways, “RUN” is just as seductive as its subject. One can easily get lost in those high vocals and the strangely enticing percussive breaths.
The nagging thing about “RUN,” though – and this is very hard to shake once you make the connection – is its sonic and musical similarity to El Camino-era Black Keys tracks. There is no direct match, nor is there any foul play afoot,stbut the song’s build and Davieson’s vocal lines – especially his range jumps – are particularly reminiscent of songs like “Stop Stop” and “Hell of a Season.” For better or worse, San Cisco sound like a subdued Black Keys.
Listen: “Hell of a Season” – The Black Keys
[youtube=https://youtu.be/Pux4cZ4s3GY?t=0s]
The good news? The Black Keys enjoyed tremendous commercial success with, and critical acclaim for El Camino, and any comparison or likeness to them is certainly a compliment. The bad news? “RUN” is so similar that San Cisco pretty much come off as an eclectic, psychedelia-influenced version of The Black Keys. Again, not a bad thing – but a point worth making nonetheless.
When all is said and done, “RUN” is a catchy song with a lot to offer. San Cisco exhibit musical growth and exploration on “RUN” and throughout the rest of Gracetown – an important step for an emerging indie band on their second full-length effort.
“RUN” – San Cisco
You’ve got your lovely long hair and you deep sea eyes
with nothing much on your mind you’re in it for a ride.
You said that you only live once you’ll give anything a try,
you promised me you’ll tell the truth now I know that that’s a lie yahie.
Gave my heart to Isabella,
she’s bad news but I’m no better.
Gave my heart to Isabella,
now I wish I never met her.
And I can be all that you want baby don’t talk talk don’t talk,
and I can be all that you want baby don’t talk talk don’t talk.
I gravitate to you like you’re my moon my moon at sea.
My thoughts drift back to you momentarily.
You’ve never ever been the one chasing me,
But you’re just having fun girl you’ve got me on the run.
Gave my heart to Isabella,
she’s bad news but I’m no better.
Gave my heart to Isabella,
now I wish I never had met her.
And I can be all that you want baby don’t talk talk don’t talk,
and I can be all that you want baby don’t talk talk don’t talk.
I never knew that you wanted me, thats what she said.
And I can be all that you want baby don’t talk talk don’t talk,
and I can be all that you want baby don’t talk talk don’t talk.
And I can be all that you want baby don’t talk talk don’t talk,
and I can be all that you want baby don’t talk talk don’t talk.
Learn more about San Cisco online
Listen: “RUN” – San Cisco
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/170422921″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]Listen: “Stop Stop” – The Black Keys
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Gracetown tracklist
- RUN
- Too Much Time Together
- Magic
- Snow
- Wash It All Away
- Bitter Winter
- Jealousy
- Super Slow
- Mistakes
- About You
- Skool
- Just For A Minute
San Cisco North American Tour Dates
6/12 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey
6/13 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
6/15 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
6/16 – Vancouver, BC – Venue
6/17 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
6/19 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
6/20 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
6/22 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
6/23 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
6/24 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
6/27 – Toronto, ON – The Mod Club Theatre
6/28 – Allston, MA – Great Scott
6/30 – Washington, DC – The Black Cat
7/1 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
7/2 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Source: http://shorefire.com/client/san-cisco
