Babydriver

Local music blog Allston Pudding marked the release of its October “Localz Only Mixtape” with a concert featuring three of the mix tape bands — Drab, Soft Pyramids and Babydriver ­— at O’Brien’s Pub.
Although the periodically-released mix tapes are usually offered as a free online download, the release of the October mix tape marked the second time the blog has put together a tape in the traditional sense of the word. In true October fashion, this month’s mix tapes were pumpkin-scented — that’s right, smelling wonderfully of autumn.

Allston Pudding’s featured genres often center on different kinds of rock, but vary from punk to hip-hop to alternative-electronica to everything else in between. Unsurprisingly, Sunday did not disappoint in variety.

The crowd was still starting to trickle into O’Brien’s as Boston’s four-piece band Babydriver took the stage. Warm, groovy indie rock with occasional subtle hints of southern twang, Babydriver’s sound might just be best described as smile inducing.

As the band launched into their set, vocalist and guitarist Tommy Palmer grinned when his voice occasionally creeped toward falsetto range, and it seemed impossible not to smile along with him. Babydriver kept the conversation to a minimum, instead storming through a set of wonderful tracks.

The set seemed to get livelier and livelier until the band closed with their featured mix tape song, “Fugitive Waltz.” It was a beautiful, slightly haunting yet whimsical track that seemed to fill up the entire room and bring much more audience attention to the stage. - Written by Anna Novikova· The Daily Free Press October 16, 2014 5:35 am

Babydriver

Sad Soldier Red

Boston, MA

“Twists and turns weave smart, twangy rock”

Sad Soldier Red, the new recording from Boston scene vet Tommy Palmer under the Babydriver name, is a playful, purposeful journey through his twangy rock dreamscape. While mostly melancholy and bluesy, it never fails to energize with its tickling sonic touches of whistling, well-panned guitar overdubs, comforting reverb, and other textures. What makes the EP stand out is its adventurous song structure coupled with Palmer’s confident and flexible voice. Just as you become familiar with a track, time turns around or a new section appears – often interjected with stops that amplify the impact.

“Best You Should Know” never quite seems to land on the hook you expect is coming, building tension until a deliciously melodic guitar/vocal line powerfully rushes in with an irresistible quirkiness. The title track features punchy vocals that delicately bounce between hard stabs, fluttering falsetto, and belted-out boldness. And “Danny Electric” and others prosper with keyboard appearances from the Spirit Kid himself, Emeen Zarookian, adding another layer of harmony and authority to the mix. Overall, this is a calculated music-for-musician’s record; one that takes a few listens to fully digest and which builds value through repeated spins. (War of 1812 Records)

Recorded at Basement 247 & Welsch City Studios

Produced by Jack Younger

Engineered by Evan Rushcer

Mastered by Nick Zampiello & Rob Gonneola at New Alliance East - By Nate Leskovic, Performer Magazine on February 29, 2012