Song of the Day: White Rabbits - Percussion Gun

Andrew Droz Palermo

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. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is “Percussion Gun” by White Rabbits from their 2009 album It’s Frightening on TBD Records.

White Rabbits are a six-piece band based in New York City. Like a lot of bands, they discovered each other while attending college together, in this case the University of Missouri. The band received good press and a lot of spins on KEXP from their brilliant first album, Fort Nightly, but it’s mostly happy sound is one the band now appears ready to move past. Gone now is the calypso sound, as are most of the stock references to Randy Newman. Yes, it’s clear the band wanted to go in a different direction on their sophomore release, It’s Frightening. Aided by Spoon’s Britt Daniel, White Rabbits have switched to an all analog recording style and created much more of a stripped down sound on the new album. Despite having two drummers, two guitarists, two singers, a bass player, the music seems more effortless than previously, and they don’t seem to feel the need to come at you with everything. The Song of the Day for today, “Percussion Gun,” is a perfect example of their new sound, a perfect blend of non-stop drums, vocals, and guitars. If you weren’t into their first album, give this new one a listen.

You can read more about the band on their website and chat with them via Twitter. Additional tracks are available on their MySpace page. The band is currently on tour and is schedule to play at the Crocodile Cafe on June 22nd. For now, here’s a video for “The Plot,” a song you’ve more than likely heard on KEXP: