Black Books – “Green Screen”

Black Books are a new band from Austin playing experimental rock with a pop edge.  Their sound is reminiscent of My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses, especially vocally (someone needs to trademark whatever tricks these guys use to sound so great) but also in their melodic construction.  There’s a great deal of potential here; some of their ideas work really, really well.  I especially enjoy when they embrace the a softer sound but still with a flair for the anthemic as best displayed by “The Big Idea”, the lead off track of their initial EP, An Introduction To…, released on limited edition green vinyl by European distributor Shifting Sound back in February (how hip).  They have recorded a full-length that by all indication will be released sometime early next year.  It’ll be interesting to see what direction the band takes as all tracks they’ve released show a great deal of diversity ranging from alt-country to rock/pop styles.