The New Year - s/t
Holy shit, I love this album. AND the band is from Dallas. How did I go all this time without learning this? Seriously, I am embarrassed.
These guys, the Kadane brothers, were the key contributors to Bedhead, the well-known and influential slowcore band from the 90's. Anyways, this latest album of theirs is greatness, and it's more accessible than Bedhead and earlier New Year stuff, which was less varied and slower-paced. The songwriting is great, with simple, every-man lyrics to which anyone can relate. And they have an incredible ability to craft patient songs with melodies that slowly crescendo into beautiful and emotional finales. Their music requires a bit of patience- it all clicked for me on the 4th listen, but it's well worth the wait.
http://www.myspace.com/thenewyear
http://www.thenewyear.net/