This is the kind of split 7" I like to see. On one side you have Lucero, a Memphis band who have recently gained a lot of popularity. They have a style that is as equally influenced by Jawbreaker as it is by Waylon Jennings. They constantly are on tour, put out records on large indie labels, and have drawn attention from members of the music press all over the world.
On the other side you have Loggia. It's okay, I hadn't heard of them either until looking at the cover of this record. They're a Memphis four-piece that play (judging purely by the one track on this record) mellow indie rock. Evidently they have recently moved to The Big Apple, because that's what hip indie bands do now. My understanding is that Brooklyn is now comprised mainly of southern expatriates wearing v-neck sweaters and black-framed spectacles. While in New York, Loggia recorded the track for this split 7" to be released on Soul is Cheap. Soul is Cheap is a long-running, yet small, label from Memphis that has supported its town's underground music community with a great deal of loyalty. They've recorded everything from thrashers like Bury the Living to dark garage rockers The Lost Sounds.
The Lucero song was recorded in someone's living room. It's probably more minimal that what you would expect from them. There's little drumming and only acoustic guitars. The song ("Nobody's Darlin's") is a dark, twangy, slow track with lots of natural reverb. It has a haunting melodramatic feel. Loggia's track is reminiscent of the Afghan Whigs in a lot of ways. It's soulful mid-tempo rock. If you were a fan of the Whigs or Josh Rouse, you should check them out. It's good to see bands and friends helping one another out.
