Video of The Day: Arbor Labor Union

There’s a bunch of videos out there. Some of them are good. Some of them are a cut above. I like to think my picks for Video of The Day are a cut (or two) above.

It's a gloomy first day of December here on the coast, and to my ears the sweet, Spanish moss-draped psychedelic chooglin' of Arbor Labor Union's "Flowerhead" sounds mighty nice on a day like today.

These Atlantans call themselves "CCR meets The Minute Men," and you can hear that duality in the almost primal, footloose rhythms and wailings, played against the backbeat of taut, steady drums and a sonic rigidity that brings in some of the band's post punk attitude. Lyrics like "learned to dance by watching butterflies" speak to a freewheelin' Southern spirit, but the angularity of the guitars keep the song grounded. Well, sort of. This song's got its head in the clouds, but it's also got serious depth, nuances to be picked out of nooks and crannies and something new to be heard and enjoyed with each listen.

The stop-motion video trends trippy-dippy, with the happy, saturated colors and punchy collage stylings. Clips of flora and fauna and, amusingly, vintage line dancing, somehow feel right at home in the video.

Arbor Labor Union will be releasing new LP New Petal Instants on February 7 on Arrowhawk. Should be a heck of a listen. 

[posted 12.1.19]