Get excited for: Lucky Madison

This weekend I got shut down for two shows I had intended on covering. One of them got moved and the other one just didn’t pan out. Thankfully, this gave me the opportunity to check out a band from local label Lucky Madison and make some plans to see more of their artists.

Lucky Madison has been a presence in Portland since coming together in early 2003. Founded by Ryan Fiegh and friends, the label has been run by Kevin O’Connor, another wonderful band on Lucky Madison’s roster.

So what’s so exciting about fall in the world of Lucky Madison? Well, for starters, today sees the release of Ah Holly Fam’ly’s album Reservoir, a long awaited LP full of delicate folk and pretty instrumentation.

Even more exciting and a little farther off is the release of World’s Greatest Ghost’s newest album, No Magic, on Nov. 10. After finally seeing them play at the Finn Riggins CD release show this past weekend, I can honestly say that I am now obsessed.

No Magic features some ace work from a group of folks I consider to be a staple in the Portland music community. Their music is balanced, showcasing each layer of the songs in a way that compliments rather than overwhelms. Nothing is lost as it progresses and it’s easy to pick out the talent that each member is clearly sporting.

In addition to playing well, the group has a knack for putting together catchy, danceable pop-rock with hooks that will run through your head a hundred times in one day without getting boring. My current favorite is the last track, “Put Yr Boots On,” a catchy number heavy with distorted guitar and randomly thrown in dog barking at the midway point.

Dog samples aside, No Magic is actually all-magic and proves that the group can hold it’s own amidst the local pop-rockers.

World’s Greatest Ghosts,

No Magic
Lucky Madison
Out Nov. 10