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the Morning Benders played Cameo (pics) + 'Promises' video

by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: The Morning Benders – Promises (MP3)

morning benders

The Morning Benders tied up their succinct CD release show at the Cameo Monday night (3/8) with “Excuses,” the album’s ambitiously arranged, counterpoint-heavy opener. The shimmery violins and chorus of backup singers (see the video below) were nowhere to be found – instead the five-piece carried the cruise-ship sway themselves, with singer Chris Chu and the band looping up a cappella vocals until its climactic crest. Their live set and their Big Echo T-shirts were both worthy adverts for the new disc, which expands on their concert sound with the studio touch of Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor (and Chu, who coproduced). “Promises,” above, is a particularly expert unfurling of that in-studio tool kit. A sun-ready sound practically begging for the Seaports or Waterfronts of the summer.

The Cameo show was the last in a run of NYC gig for the band. Their continuing tour includes SXSW (where they’ll be at the BrooklynVegan day party at Emo’s on Wednesday March 17th, for one) and a return to NYC for a shows at Mercury Lounge in April.

More pictures from the Cameo (and their video for “Promises”) are below…

Morning Benders

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