The Weight’s 2008 release Are Men marks an interesting evolution
of the group’s sound. What was once a singer-songwriter-with-
backingband is now simply a band. Of men.Perhaps it was one too many shows with sensitive, weekend-warrior
singer-songwriters armed with acoustic guitars (and songs fit only
for girlfriends), or frustration with an interchangeable backing
band, but upon relocating to New York, Joseph Plunket set out to form
a proper band. He found a rhythm section with ease: Will Nolan on
bass (Joseph’s uncle, strangely only five years his senior), and J.
Ellis (friend via Atlanta, GA punk-rock formative years) on drums. A
few short-lived characters later, The Weight arrived at a solid
lineup with the addition of Fletcher C. Johnson on lead guitar and
Johnny Carpenter on pedal steel, with both contributing vocals. The
result is something quite different from previous lineups. Fletcher
brings his all-around wild style; Johnny, his multi-instrumentalism
and name-matching personality; Will and Jay, a newfound consistency
and craftsmen sensibility;
and Joseph, far more songs than any band could ever hope to learn
(an unusual problem.)Are Men reveals a sound and feel very much different from 2004’s
10 Mile Grace, which found the group working within the framework of
earnest alt-country executed by post-punk kids. In contrast, Are Men
brings a sense of light-hearted fun-timin’ to the songwriting and
execution (more country-rock block party, less alt.) It’s the sound
of a band enjoying the process. Sing-along choruses, three-part
harmonies, psych guitar freak-outs, rowdy gang vocals – all things
people love… so The Weight have discovered. For the similarly post-
jaded kids, and honest fans of Americana, Are Men sounds like the
record you actually
enjoy listening to.Jim Nicholas
Brooklyn, NY, January 2008
For Booking or Management please contact:
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