Song of the Day: Hallelujah The Hills – Wave Backwards to Massachusetts

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is Wave Backwards to Massachusetts by Hallelujah The Hills from their 2007 debut album Collective Psychosis Begone on Misra Records.

Hallelujah The Hills – Wave Backwards to Massachusetts (MP3)
Grown out of the now defunct Boston band The Stairs, Hallelujah The Hills have taken the credit earned with the former band and used it for even loftier purposes and sounds. Ryan Walsh (vocals/guitar) handles songwriting duties, using his experience with The Stairs to create an album far superior to a typical debut album. The band features epic song structures to coincide with the epic number of instruments used, including moog, cello, melodica, trumpet, and vocal filters, all resulting in rowdy anthems that are sure to bring Arcade Fire comparisons. While several members of the band are still involved in other projects, something not uncommon these days, this debut album comes decidedly from a cohesive whole. According to the band, 32 more albums will see the light of day before they’re through. So far, that idea doesn’t sound so bad.

The band’s website is full of demos and live tracks. Here are a few to pique your interest:

Paper Pilots [demo] (MP3)

Effie’s On the Other Side [live] (MP3)

Monster Eyes (MP3)

Monster Eyes is a song adapted from lyrics written by author Jonathan Lethem for his recent book tour. Check out the band’s MySpace page for more information.

If you’re not not overloaded yet, here is a video Hallelujah the Hills, performed live in Chapel Hill, NC: