It doesn’t take a degree in Obamanomics (didn’t take long, did it?) to realize that we could potentially be in store for a new era rife with personal freedom and consideration. A more caring would would be wonderful, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, it’s hard to be optimistic for a liberating life in a “nice” place. In fact, it would probably take a mandate to reanimate the corpse of Mr. Rogers just to guilt everyone into showing an ounce of respect to their fellow beings. Oh well, maybe you just gotta take niceties when they are offered, like when the duo of Mona Elliott and Anar Badalov, a.k.a. Travels, will self-issue their latest album called The Hot Summer.
Hackily described on this very website by this very same hack as "a safe house in a world of confusion," the debut Travels disc caught many unaware with its unassuming, fragile beauty. This time around, Travels give us more tender tracks, a few curveballs, and a variation of one of their previously recorded songs: “Olivia Hurt.” If you couldn’t feel enough of the love, here is a mellooooow cover version of [“My Funny Valentine,”->
http://www.bradleysalmanac.com/songs/misc/Travels-MyFunnyValentine.mp3] recorded by the duo to celebrate the release of “The Hot Summer” on Valentine’s Day (that’s February 14, for you unattached apathetics). Ah, the things some do for love. I’m as romantic as the next person, and I have as healthy a relationship with my right hand as other well-adjusteds have with actual, separate human beings, but I never felt the need to perform a duet with my “Mighty Righty.” Call me an olde-fashioned romantic...
Hit me with your best shots:
1. The Forgotten
2. Favorite People
3. Olivia Hurt
4. Happiness (you woke up)
5. Buzzards Bay
6. Severed
7. Dogs
8. Fairy Tales
9. Animal
10. A New Year
Travels abroad (but really at home):
02.14.09 - Somerville, MA - PA’s Lounge #
02.20.09 - Baltimore, MD - Talking Head Club $
# Animal Hospital, Arms & Sleepers, Mary Page
$ Mr. Moccasin, Ari Schenck, The Owls Go
