Split 7″

The Cold Beat (Allston, MA) / Movers & Shakers (Boston, MA)

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Split 7″ (Self-Released)
Release Date: January 12, 2010

Side A – The Cold Beat
01. Absolute Zero

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02. Tracks

Side B – Movers & Shakers
03. Movin’ On

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04. An Original Idea

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A sweet, multi-colored slab of wax from two of Boston’s most promising upstarts, this limited 7″ Split between The Cold Beat and Movers & Shakers occupies a well-worn spot somewhere amongst a gritty, DIY punk rock aesthetic, rustic americana and the loose, jangly indie rock that’s been pouring out of garages and basements of the working class since the the early 80s. While The Cold Beat’s two songs gravitate toward a dirtier, darker territory, and Movers & Shakers’ cuts are more upbeat and sunny, both bands play a ragged, organic brand of rock ‘n’ roll that’s a little messy, really vibrant and a hell of a lot of fun.

Kicking off Side A of the split, The Cold Beat takes the foundations of its debut, Dumbwaiter, and that EP’s Replacements-esque anthems and cranks up the urgency and desperation a few notches to create two new songs that are darker and more desperate sounding than anything it has done in the past. It goes a long way to create some real palpable tension within the tracks, bovershadows the band’s natural proclivity for unforgettable melodies, soaring harmonies and crunchy riffs.

On the flip side, Movers & Shakers handles its business with skill and aplomb. “Movin’ On” and “An Original Idea,” two songs brimming with homespun, unaffected roots rock, find kindred spirits in bands like Lucero and Drive-By Truckers, while taking cues from forefathers such as Buffalo Tom and Paul Westerberg. A propulsive rhythm section, acrobatic guitar-picking and Matt Price’s whiskey-soaked vocals are washed over by a warm, pulsing organ and give these tracks a genial tone.

Undoubtedly a terrific snapshot of the promising, hardworking, blue collar bands that Boston has been producing as of late, this 7″ finds both The Cold Beat and Movers & Shakers holding up their respective sides of the split to create an all-too-brief release that simply begs for repeat spins.

The four songs on this split were recorded at New Alliance Studio in Cambridge, MA by Ethan Dussault (Cave In, On The Might Of Princes, Smoke Or Fire). The bands paid for the recording and pressing of 500 by shoveling snow in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/thecoldbeat and www.myspace.com/moversandshakers

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Media

• Split 7″ Bio (pdf)
• 7″ Art (hi-res)
• The Cold Beat Photo (hi-res)
• Movers & Shakers Photo (hi-res)