Song of the Day: Restorations - Separate Songs

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Separate Songs” by Restorations from the 2014 album LP3 on SideOneDummy Records.

Restorations - Separate Songs (MP3)

Touching on strains of indie, punk, and heartland rock, the core of Restorations' charging anthems is rooted in anthemic songwriting with a multiple-guitar attack. Formed by singer/guitarist Jon Loudon and guitarist Dave Klyman in 2008, the Philadelphia group slowly expanded their lineup and their output, releasing a series of 7" singles before gearing up for their debut album, 2011's Self-Titled. Not long after, the band picked up steam in punk circles and toured more regularly and extensively, releasing the well-received LP2 in 2013 and LP3 in 2014. One of LP3's standout tracks, "Separate Songs" distills all of Restorations' strengths into three-and-a-half minutes of earnest, explosive rock. Loudon's image-heavy lyrics ("bathed in blue fabric/ablaze in the Western sky") are shouted through his Bruce Springsteen-via-Chuck Ragan growl as his bandmates layer instrument upon instrument into a tour de force of sound. Although the song ends on a quiet, barely hopeful verse, it's the titular refrain ("All singing the same time to different songs") that captures the song's essence, a testament to music's ability to transcend specific people and places and channel a last-grasp rally for hope.

Restorations will tour in 2015, but those dates have yet to be announced, so keep an eye on their Facebook and website. Below, watch the music video for "Separate Songs".