It’s not often that a band comes out of nowhere to capture your attention so swiftly. But that is exactly what happened when I first heard Touch Committee. When I covered the band earlier this year I was astonished to hear such familiar yet refreshing elements in the band’s playful brand of rock. Recalling bands that peppered indie rock in the 90’s, Touch Committee’s Winter Beard shows off a sound that should have a wide appeal.
I can not help but think of Superchunk when listening to Winter Beard. The way that band straddled lines of indie and pop/punk was brilliant enough to attract just about anybody with a passing interest in those two genres. Touch Committee are operating in that same fruitful area. Add in some emo influences like Braid/Hey Mercedes and you have a brilliant recipe for success. Touch Committee are heavy on the guitar work but punchy in just the right spots. The dual vocal approach should be noted as yet another weapon in the band’s impressive repertoire. The songwriting is precise and advanced for such a young band but never feels claustrophobic. Instead, Winter Beard breathes a light, airy quality that is nothing but intoxicating.
My only real complaint with Winter Beard is the length. At 46 minutes the album does run a bit long in places. But, that’s only a minor flaw on an otherwise brilliant debut that is truly one of the best albums of the year. If the band stays together and continues to progress I think we might look back at Winter Beard in ten years and come to the conclusion that this album is an absolute classic. It really is that good.
Label: Self-Released
Sunshine Suit
Touch%20Committee_Winter%20Beard_01_Sunshine%20Suit.mp3
For The Union Dead
Touch%20Committee_Winter%20Beard_07_For%20The%20Union%20Dead.mp3
