Whale of a Dilemma
Help me out, people: Should White Whale be considered a local band?
For those unfamiliar, White Whale came out of Lawrence at the end of last year and spumed right on to Merge Records, playing the label's showcase at SXSW in March. I was there, and I haven't seen them play since. Before that, the Whale did a few local shows -- CD-releases at the Granada and the Record Bar, but the band never seemed to work very hard at building a local following.
I'm asking because it's approaching that time when we name the year's best local albums. I would include White Whale's debut, WWI, in a heartbeat because it's easily good enough. It has quirky, age-of-seafaring themes that evoke Melville and the Decemberists alike, which works well with Suggs' genteel, almost foppish voice (which, mind you, can become that of a very angry fop when provoked). The sound is ambitious and expansive but remains beat-centric, like Wind and Wuthering-era Genesis tempered by the cool pop savvy of Spoon.
But I'll write no more on't until a local/non-local designation is given!
Listen to the first track off WWI, "Nine Good Fingers," as you ponder the question, and, I hope, post a comment with your opinion.
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