Ears Wide Open: Links, Downtown/Union

Kevin Bronson on April 15th, 2009

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[New L.A. sounds for your ears, and your iTunes …]

Links are an L.A. quartet with a Robbie and Robby (an Arnett and Barnett, go figure), and a passion for simmering, ’70s-styled blues rock, which they bring to a boil on their debut EP, “Tip Your Jester” (released in March). Singer-guitarist Arnett yowls like a higher-register (and mercifully less forced) Caleb Followill behind bassist Barnett and drummer Curtis Marrero’s sharp beats and lead guitarist Eric Frank’s tasteful licks. Good stuff from guys who, having just signed on with management, are currently writing new material.

||| Download: “Cold Water”

||| Live: Links plays April 23 at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, and then every Wednesday in May at the Knitting Factory.

Downtown/Union just announced the April 28 release of its first full-length, “Aurora Ahora,” a recording that sees principals Bo Bory and Jeff Elecric joined by Joey and Andy Siara of the Henry Clay People. The band’s wry, pointed garage rock certainly seems sonic kin to the Henry Clays; this opening track takes you underground in a good way.