The past year or so has been fairly active in terms of local bands producing and releasing their music and hosting CD release shows to celebrate their achievements. Here's a rundown of the best CD release shows in Bloomington in the past year.
The Alarmists (Calm Down.) -- Deep Shivers Run for My Daughter EP\nFunky bass, twangy guitars, percussive bursts and timpani combine to create the high-energy concert experience that is The Alarmists (Calm Down.). This release show took place at the WIUX station house as part of WIUX's pledge-day festivities and featured The Delicious, Amo Joy and Mouthbreather. Fans crammed into the crowded living room of the old house and helped one of Bloomington's best up-and-coming local acts commemorate the release of its first EP.
Prizzy Prizzy Please -- Prizzy \nPrizzy Please\nUncle Fester's hosted the chaotic saxophone, keyboard, bass and drum explosion known as Prizzy Prizzy Please. The band managed to release a CD that captured the unpredictable, irreverent and slightly strange sensibilities of its sound. All the underage kids missed out on a good time at this show.
Alex Clark -- Eternal Storybook Land\nAlex Clark has since moved on to the Big Apple, but his CD release show in Bloomington featured a full band and some great cover tunes in addition to his original bouncy rock tunes. The Art Hospital was packed and went nuts for his renditions of Daft Punk's "Digital Love" and Chromeo's "Rage."
The Delicious -- The Delicious The Delicious\nThe Delicious appeared at Landlocked Music with an army of local musicians as its backing band. All the band members also wore the then-standard Delicious uniform, which consisted of robin's-egg-blue T-shirts with their own faces ironed on. The crowd sang and danced along to songs about such serious subject matter as high-fructose corn syrup. The Delicious is a band that has a polished sound but is capable of creating a fun album and an entertaining live show, too.
