The Flat Five returns! Chicago’s beloved band of in-demand music biz ringers – Kelly Hogan and Nora O’Connor (The Decemberists, Neko Case, Andrew Bird, Mavis Staples, Iron & Wine, Jakob Dylan) Scott Ligon and Casey McDonough (NRBQ, Brian Wilson) and Alex Hall (J.D. McPherson, Cactus Blossoms) – will release their second album of twisted sunshine pop – Another World – on Pravda Records/Augiedisc Records on (lucky!) Friday November 13th – on CD, LP, and all digital streaming platforms.
Another World was produced by band member Scott Ligon and The Flat Five, and recorded/engineered by Flat Five drummer, Alex Hall, at his popular Chicago studio, Reliable Recorders – with some additional sessions at Wilco’s gearhead paradise, The Loft, engineered by Mark Greenberg.
Like their acclaimed 2016 debut, It’s a World of Love and Hope (an album that scored big with critics and fans alike, including high-profile Flat Five fans like Nick Lowe and Wilco,) Another World also features all songs written by Scott Ligon’s older brother, the impossible-to-pigeonhole mad musical genius, Chris Ligon (whose songs have been featured on the hit Showtime series Weeds and the Dr. Demento show.)
No doubt about it, The Flat Five’s focus is harmony. These guys are hardcore junkies for a vocal buzz, and share a vast range of influences from The Free Design to The Three Degrees to Captain Beefheart. The charms of this band are manifest. From the laid-back simple to the oddly romantic to the slightly subversive, there is a heart of wide-eyed sweetness coloring their music. Buoyancy. A bit of hope. Things we need now more than ever. Come November, I think we’re all gonna be ready for Another World.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the video for “Drip A Drop,” the first single from the album. The funky beat and roiling organ complement the spunky vocals. There is a touch of Sam the Sham and NRBQ as the band seems to be having fun with the lyrics and vocals while slyly inserting lyrics that reference America’s current climate of pandemic and civil unrest. Danceable and humorous, the song captures this all-star group’s penchant for writing infectious tunes that dabble in a range of musical styles such as soul, pop, R&B and rock and roll.
WATCH:
http://www.theflatfivechicago.com/
Photo credit: Paul Beaty
