Send "husband&wife " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Absolutepunk |
 Much like last year’s Dark Dark Woods, husband&wife’s brand spanking new record Proud Flesh is quietly folky and introspective in a way that sorta slaps you in the face. For all its sonic subtleties, the lyrical content is rife with life-isms and blind searches for, you know, stuff we all search for. Although a bit louder than its predecessor, this is an album that once again finds husband&wife using their considerable strengths to create approachable music that can be enjoyable by aficionados and idiots alike. Proud Flesh is slathered in nods to rock of decades past (the bluesy riff in “6 Little Indians” or the neo-electric-Neil Young of “They Should Give You Medicine”). And hey, I’m aware that those may not be very good descriptions, but these songs have the habit of putting me in a trance. A trance that I’ve found to be pretty hard to write about.But write I shall! Because if I don’t, you wouldn’t know that there is music out there that can cause weird writer’s block trances. It’s like zoning out while honing in. Or something. And perhaps no song on Proud Flesh better creates this topsy-turvy condition than awesomely-titled “Extendo Jam.” As you’ve probably guessed, it is indeed a jam. For nearly 3 minutes, a grungy, driving instrumental section creates visions of long-haired college students painting pretty pictures of imaginary stuff. Then as we’re like, “Wait, whaaa,” the vocals enter in all their echoic, distorted beauty, and we have even more goodness to juggle. It’s not your normal college/country rock song, and “Extendo Jam” rules above Proud Flesh with dashes of shock and one heck of a buoyant bass line. Single “Proud Flesh,” I think, has made a minor splash in minor indie rock circles. It employs perhaps the band’s most melodic and pop-rock-ish stanzas. But “Proud Flesh” doesn’t feel like anything out of the ordinary for the band; they are not grasping for fame straws. Because even with songs like "Proud Flesh," the album is jam-packed with off-kilter mega-solos like the one found in “Low Profile.” Or there’s the epically pleasing closer “Class War,” which features another solo, albeit this one is much more rock n’ roll. But the song’s true treat is a piano solo that I can’t help but repeat over and over. Maybe it sounds like Billy Joel sitting on a haystack? I don’t know. I don’t know a lot, clearly. Yet I’m fairly certain of Proud Flesh’s superiority to Dark Dark Woods. Things are still inquisitive, but not quite as sad. There’s more noise to drown out our uncertainty (I mean, “I Have Been Made Huge” could even be called dissonant). And when husband&wife decide to douse our ears in candy-coated melodies, it’s not a big leap at all. It’s Sunday night rock n’ roll, and I’m beginning to see that Sunday is quite alright....full text |
| Mindequalsblown |
| Crossroads of America Records has a knack for showcasing a roster that is more than capable of representing the region they hail from (evidence to prove the validity of their name), but few bands better represent this moniker than Husband&Wife. A sonic snapshot for the rolling fields of the bucolic Midwest, Husband&Wife goes beyond the call of duty in presenting a soundtrack to the easy going, yet ironically stressed atmosphere of the Midwest through their unique blend of indie rock. In a scene generally populated by acts who have tasted the waters of angular math rock and forward moving pop music, Husband&Wife can be characterized as the band that the Braid generation forgot. All of that however, is about to change. Fans of Husband&Wife who are used to the subtle and down-tempo color of the band’s earlier work will be pleasantly surprised by their more aggressive approach to the comfortable sound they have so endeared. Proud Flesh, the band’s junior release, exhibits a down to earth change in direction that will redefine how people receive the band. With many more highs and lows and a lot more noise, Husband&Wife have taken a leap of faith with this loud release. Proud Flesh starts out with “Begone Long One,” a strong headed track that sets the stage for the album. Characterized by an upbeat guitar riff and a confident snare drum, the track beats out a war path for the rest of the album. After the first second, the album blazes ahead with loud guitars, large drums and running bass lines that consistently stick to Husband&Wife’s lazily sweeping tempo. Familiarity, although subtle, is found all throughout the album. Hiding behind the newly electric sound and the increased volume is the same old hometown emo band we have come to love. The vocal work of Husband&Wife has never been disappointing, and with Proud Flesh they continue to do what they know best. Lyrically the band will always be very comfortable; the personable lyrics easily conjure up emotions in the listeners. The accessibility to Husband&Wife’s music is one of the most interesting aspects of the band. Their ability to touch the audience has never been absent in any of their releases, and is only sharpened through Proud Flesh. The way these vocal parts are delivered says even more to the quality of music that this band is presenting. Active and engaging vocal lines are found throughout just about every track, accenting the loud and driving instrumentals and holding the songs to the standard that the band has always leaned upon....full text |
| One-track-mind |
| The title track from Indiana quartet husband&wife‘s fourth album is a reminder of simpler (and often more satisfying) times in the independent rock world, the bygone 1990s era when a bunch of dudes with guitars ruled the roost. In those days, groups like Guided by Voices, Dinosaur Jr., Sugar, and Built to Spill made their reputation with smart hooks and riffs which were both melodic and deceptively muscular. While husband&wife doesn’t seek to overtly channel any of these acts in particular, they are evidently kindred spirits, building “Proud Flesh” around grooving basslines, spiraling electric guitar notes, and Mike Adams’ aching, earnest vocals. This cut is the fourth of eleven tracks on Proud Flesh, to be released on October 26th by Crossroads of America Records (home to a small but impressive roster including Doug Burr and Frank Schweikhardt). “Proud Flesh” begins simply, with an airy drum beat and the casual introduction of muted guitar notes, then begins building its intensity with the introduction of spectral organ chords and understated, distorted guitar phrases. It doesn’t take long before husband&wife kick things into overdrive, however; “Proud Flesh” has an organic and effective way of cranking up the intensity....full text |
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