From Portland, Michael Finn and Leo London are The Domestics. Joined on stage by Kyle Moderhak, Matt Moore and Brad Norton, Finn and London take care of all compositional duties. The duo have released their debut self-titled album through the Oregon label Tender Loving Empire and recently finished a month long tour in support of hometown pals Blitzen Trapper at the end of October. The band’s debut is also available through its Bandcamp page.
The Domestics blend acoustic and electric guitar instrumentation beneath harmonies from both Finn and London. With a style consisting of mainly indie-rock and folk, soothing synths and dainty percussion adorn the album. “All The Time” is a more tender, orchestral piece on this album with piano and horns that wash over the listener as the chorus repeats the refrain until a sweet dissolve whereas tracks like “American Drag” carry more of an alt-country, rock sound. “Jenny Says” is a page torn from the book of Lawrence band Fourth of July and is one of the most listenable selections off of the album.
The band began to pick up in early 2014 and, though from a rich music town where many groups struggle to set themselves apart, their self-titled release was dubbed “easily one of the best albums in recent Portland history” by The Deli Magazine. This release is laced with longing, love ballads such as “Blue Tarp Moon” with a chorus that earnestly discloses “it’s not hard to be in love with a Brownsville girl / but it’s a blue tarp moon and it’s shining just on me.”
The record finishes with “What A Life” that suggests “the name of the game is redemption and shame.” The Domestics give us a fantastic, fall album along with a lot to think about on this debut. With an honest release under their belt and a foot in the national touring circuit, we can and should expect more from songwriters Finn and London.
Recommend If You Like: Fourth of July, Blitzen Trapper, Fruit Bats, The Mother Hips
Recommended Tracks: 3 (Wait Forever), 2 (Jenny Says), 5 (It Came To Me), 8 (Blue Tarp Moon)
Do Not Play: None
Reviewed by Harrison Hipp 11/18/15