Kevin Bronson on September 13th, 2010

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Click here to watch the film “White Horse,” with music by Shadow Shadow Shade.

To say that the debut album by L.A.’s Shadow Shadow Shade is epic is … well, to use the word “epic” once too often. Let’s call it “poperatic.”

The septet – born from the ashes of indie-rock quintet Irving and formerly known as Afternoons – previewed their new album at a small listening party on Sunday night, also springing the news that the long-awaited debut will be out Sept. 28. “in the coming weeks.” (Info updated from what I was initially told.) It’s been two years since the ensemble premiered the anthemic “Say Yes” (with its Shepard Fairey-designed poster) and began winning crowds with their goosefleshy live shows.

First impression of the album, based on one listen: A little bit of Pink Floyd, a little bit of Queen and a little bit of the Mamas and the Papas, wrapped up in one expansive and startlingly cinematic package. Backed by the urgent orchestration of Aaron Burrows, Brent Turner, Sam Johnson and Thomas Biller, the dueling vocals from singer-guitarists Brian Canning and Steven Scott – and the grandiloquent wails of opera-trained Claire McKeown – find an aesthetic that’s almost otherworldly.

And speaking of cinematic: The band and director Michael Graham this morning unveiled the 17-minute short film “White Horse.” (Also viewable wider here.) It stars Jason Ritter and Anna Wilson and features music from Shadow Shadow Shade’s new album. It’s downright … shadowy.

||| Download: “Is This a Tempest in the Shape of a Bell”

||| Also: Shadow Shadow Shade at SXSW last March.

||| Live: Shadow Shadow Shade plays Oct. 14 at the Echoplex