Future Clouds and Radar w/ Leatherbag, Polite Society

Austin-based Future Clouds and Radar, the multi-instrumental art-pop ensemble headed by Robert Harrison, released their ambitious self-titled double-disc debut in 2007 and by growing critical consensus, it ranks among that year's best. Harp Magazine named Future Clouds and Radar "Debut Artist of the Year" and called the release 4th Best Record overall. The Austin Chronicle's Austin Powell describes the album as "ambitious but not overwrought, the 27-song collection showed flashes of the Flaming Lips' orbital bliss, the desultory brilliance of Big Star circa Third/Sisters Lovers, and the bristling eclecticism of Elvis Costello, with radiant instrumental interludes and tangents into glam-garage rock and pastoral psych-folk."

It seems musical vision continues to emanate from the group who released their follow-up recording, “Peoria”, in November of 2008. Where the first album showed Harrison as the central figure in a large musical cast, FC&R's latest offering finds the core band focusing their kaleidoscopic vision into a single cinematic narrative about mortality. Flanked by keyboardist Hollie Thomas, bassist Joshua Zarbo (formerly of Spoon), longtime associate and drummer Darin Murphy (Cotton Mather's Kontiki) and gifted multi-instrumentalist Kullen Fuchs, Harrison stays true to his genre-bending eclecticism, leading the journey through a maze of fuzz-box vocals and ethereal keys.

Their sophomore endeavor, "Peoria", was mixed by Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev, the Flaming Lips, MGMT). Production was fast-paced and condensed into a three-week whirlwind of writing and recording at The Star Apple Kingdom compound. Released at the end of 2008, "Peoria" has already earned respect amongst critics and is gaining increasing momentum on the national stage. Pitchfork describes "Peoria" as [a record that] "craftily pits hold-your-hand pop against more shadowy terrain within its half-hour (35 minute) lifespan, resulting in a record that stands easily on its own merits".

The music of Leatherbag — aka singer-songwriter Randy Reynolds — is an engaging mix of rootsy Bob Dylan, fully charged Lou Reed and more than a little Buddy Holly. OK, maybe the Holly thing’s just the glasses, though comparing this Austin-based Houston refugee (thanks, Rita!) to Texas’ most famous rock ’n’ roller isn’t that far off the mark, given the keen pop smarts on display throughout Reynolds’ rapidly growing catalog.

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