Spirit Kid: Show Preview (Middle East Downstairs: 07.02.2010)

Maclaine Diemer The Everyday Visuals, The Luxury, Oranjuly, and Spirit Kid Friday, July 2 at Middle East Downstairs (Add to your Google Calendar)

Spirit Kid’s self-titled album unfolds like an old public service announcement recorded on a dusty video tape and jammed, wrong side up, into the VCR. It elicits feelings of disturbance but also enthrallment, not unlike the experience of watching a tall moustached man in spandex carrying on about sexual harassment in the workplace.

“My Imagination” gladdens with a dancing piano, background singers (“oooo la la la la”) and a snap-happy pace – it sweats nectarous like the moisture of a school gymnasium circa 1958. Lead singer Emeen Zarookian swims under a film of vocal resonance and it’s clear that this record is vintage. Dad’s been scouring the garage for it all day and now he’s angry.

“Flytrap” is similarly sweet but also duplicitous. Zarookian’s voice lowers to an artful whisper, and the mild but punching guitar puts an end to the piety of the 50s. The PSA is still playing, but there’s no concerned public to inform.
Find all that’s tucked away and era-logged when Spirit Kid plays at 8:30 PM on Friday, July 2 at The Middle East Downstairs.

    Spirit Kid - My Imagination

    Spirit Kid - Flytrap

http://www.myspace.com/emeenz