The World Record

Even though it was a Thursday night, that didn't stop the celebration for the release of the first record from The World Record (above) in six years from going on for hours. Radio Free Silver Lake hosted the giant show that featured four bands on the main stage and three other bands doing acoustic turns over in the corner between sets. And a huge crowd of well-wishers turned out on a week night to pick up copies of this hot new album. (I've listened to my copy and it's a superb record)

I tried to get there as early as possible, still missed the first band, but saw most of the acoustic set by The Breakups (at left) who were down to two members. Jake Gideon is such a good singer that it was just as polished as a full band set. Just as they finished, Seasons (below) fired up the main stage and this was when I notice the house that Aaron Ballard had told me he had constructed for the show. It hovered, like Dorothy's house, over violinist Caitlin Wolfberg, who bears no resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West (except for maybe the magic she does with a violin).

Our attention was drawn to the digital shirt that was illuminating itself in time to the music on lead singer Nic Garcia. I enjoy the harmonizing they've been polishing with John and Kaitlin on key songs. They were in their usual tip-top form, even adding a trumpet player for the evening.

I actually feared for Kaitlin (at left) after Aaron told me he built the floating house in his gallery and then couldn't get it out the door because it was too big. He had to remove the roof and re-attach it at the Echoplex before the show, so it was held together with tape and hope. Fortunately there were no earthquakes (or twisters).

The sets were somewhat abbreviated to accommodate all the acts performing and the party atmosphere made one want to wander around and socialize. So I managed to miss The Damselles and the TC4 by hanging out on the patio and being taken to the green room. I was out front for the beginning of The World Record and, even though I've seen this band many times over the years. They sounded like a hot, new band, full of energy and enthusiasm.

It reminded me of the first time I saw them. It was at a Henry Clay People show (bash!) at Spaceland in April, 2009, and it was late, I was hanging out with Evan and Brett Marie Way and Brett said I had to stay to hear The World Record even though it was probably 12:30 in the morning. But I stayed and Brett Marie was right, they blew me away. Such harmonies! Such classic sounding pop songs! Very similar to The Parson Red Heads, but definitely their own band.

It all came back last Thursday night as they dominated the stage of Echoplex, even adding solid back up as the set progressed. Great new songs from the album included the title tune, "Freeway Special", "Be Nice" and "Cats On the Roof" and "We're #1" but one of the highlights was when I was taken backstage to watch from the wings. What a treat! I could really observe just how much hard work goes into making them soar. They were definitely number 1 tonight.

And soar they did, with Andy Creighton in strong voice, backed up by Aaron and then a brass section which added so much pizazz to the music, it just swept you up. Of course the sterling guitars of Andy and Aaron have always been a powerful component in their compositions. The shot above shows The Damselles on stage with them.

Afterward, I saw some ofGeronimo Getty's fine acoustic set (at right) in the corner andFrancisco The Man who finished out the musical portion of the night with a rousing show. Apart from the music and festivities, it was great to hang out with so many wonderful people who came out. The night eventually became a swirl of impressions, but I remember nice chats with Paulie and Cristal Pesh, Jef Hogan, John Seasons and Kathryn Pinto in the green room, Ruthann Friedman Carlisle, Ryan Fuller, Jake Gideon, who else? Hung around with Gerg, Rob Danson (Happy Birthday) Bronson, TheSeasons gang. Couldn't have been a better night. I snuck back in to get a shot from the stage after it was over...for mood, and to prove to myself that I stayed till the end. - Feed Your Head

The World Record was celebrating the release of Freeway Special, the band’s long-overdue follow-up to its tremendous 2006 debut. I was celebrating the chance to see Los Angeles’ best power-pop band — maybe anywhere’s best power-pop band — for the first time. It won’t be the last. The new set’s available on MP3, CD and LP. - Rawkblog

When you name your band The World Record, you are more or less compelled to translate that sound into something successful. And if their sophomore LP is any indication, the Los Angeles band is indeed on the precipice of something truly extraordinary. Though the album is exhaustively long (18 songs), there are quite a few gems tucked away here.

Foremost of those gems is the title track and album opener, which features sun-splashed horns, Andy Creighton's honeyed vocals and a wistful easy sentiment that calls to mind Big Star. and Fountains of Wayne. While the horns take a backseat on most of the material, Creighton's amiable vocals and that sense of wistful melancholia return time and again. For starters, there's the plaintive "Be Nice," the yearning "I Met the Girl (I'm Gonna Leave You For," and the lilting "Black Canyon Range." Further, the jangly "She's Not a Liar," teems with shades of Nada Surf, while "Marsha," seems culled from Wilco circa Being There.

While Freeway Special is indeed a rock effort, it's the quieter moments that make the biggest impact. The weary "Say Sayonara," the rootsy "A Little More Time," and the near-perfect "Candy," reveal an immediacy and depth that are unlike few others. Truth be told, even the mid-tempo moments are worth remembering. Whether its the reaching "Stopping Somewhere," or the jocular "Call the Doctor," there's something profound and moving in these songs.

All this praise for the more subdued moments raises the question, why is it the rock songs fall short? Truth be told, it's actually quite hard to say. Perhaps the problem is the length. Eighteen songs is a lot to digest and even though three are no longer than a minute, and five are less than three, it's still far more music than one should expect to consume in a digital age where singles and brevity are the status quo. That being written, "Queen of Side I," "In The Supermarket," and "We're #1 (Remix)," all feel a bit forced, almost as if the band is trying too hard. On the more ruminative offerings there's a sense of comfort and control that is almost too good to be true.

But in the end, the duration remains the only complaint with Freeway Special. Vocalist Creighton has a vocal timbre that is easily digestible and even harder to dislike. Backed by an air-tight rhythm section and seasoned session players, the disc is definitely a bellwether in the California roots-rock scene. It honestly doesn't get much better than this.

Recommended If You Like
Fountains of Wayne, Wilco circa Being There, Big Star, The Low Stars, Gigolo Aunts, Nada Surf, Five Easy Pieces - Absolute Punk

Like a lot of bands looking to scrounge up some funds, Los Angeles guitar-pop combo The World Record turned to Kickstarter. The campaign was a success (with funds going to help their label, Squid vs. Whale, issue their double LP Freeway Special), but now requires the band to drive to the dusty burg of Oracle, Arizona, to play a show for a contributor to the Kickstarter campaign.

"I got excited when I found out Biosphere 2 is out there," laughs songwriter Andy Creighton. "But that's not happening."

Instead the band will play the Triangle L Ranch, a spot not known for its rock 'n' roll shows. The show gave Creighton a chance to book a mini-Arizona tour, stopping by Plush in Tucson on Saturday, September 1, and the Rogue Bar in Scottsdale on Sunday, September 2.

It's sort of a warmup jaunt for the band in preparation for a bigger tour in support of its forthcoming double LP, Freeway Special, due out Tuesday, October 9. The record's been a long time coming -- in the works for a whopping six years.

"It's been awhile," Creighton laughs, noting that during the record's gestation he left L.A. for a year, and played in bands like Apex Manor and the Parson Red Heads. "We started to record, and those recordings were bad." As the band solidified its lineup and got to work, and the record grew. "We thought, 'The record should represent the time we spent recording it, so it became a double LP."

The band often gets saddled with the power-pop label, and listening to "She's Not a Liar," the record's first single, it's easy to imagine the band fitting well into a jukebox stuffed with Teenage Fanclub, Posies, and Big Star singles, but Creighton says that the dedication to chiming guitars and strident melodies is just one element of the band's sound.

"We definitely have moments where it is [power-pop], there's no doubt about it," he says. "There are some longer songs and more exploring, but most people say 'It sounds like Big Star or Fountains of Wayne.'"

And while no one has ever compared a band to Big Star as an insult, Creighton says the label is limited in describing the full spectrum of The World Record's sound, which draws as much from Blue Öyster Cult as The Records.

"I feel like like there's more to it," Creighton says, "but I'm inside it so much. It's good to have something to describe the band and have people get an idea what it's about. But I think it's not inaccurate to say that we're a 'power-pop' band. It kind of bothers me because I want to have this other side of the band represented in that description, but if I'm being honest I'm happy it can be explained. You know what I like? Occasionally we get Pavement comparisons. Very occasionally, and I really like it when people say that, it sort of expands it a bit." - Phoenix New Times

just drove up to Oregon and found myself in the car for a total of 12 hours or so without a good trip mix. Now, sitting in my hotel room, I realize I should've brought the World Record (MySpace) with me. Too late for me, but not too late for all of you!

The Los Angeles band is indie pop merged comfortably with smarter, artier rock and more lackadaisical Pavement-y sounds. These guys are good and deliver perfect summer sounds no matter what you're looking for. There's a little bit of everything within the World Record -- although, certainly, it all revolves around pop, folk, and old garage rock (think the Kinks) -- and I couldn't be more thankful for them.

I hope these guys go somewhere. They've made something really accessible, really special, and really touching. So grab a couple tracks below and get the album, Guitars Forever here! - Bibabidi

just drove up to Oregon and found myself in the car for a total of 12 hours or so without a good trip mix. Now, sitting in my hotel room, I realize I should've brought the World Record (MySpace) with me. Too late for me, but not too late for all of you!

The Los Angeles band is indie pop merged comfortably with smarter, artier rock and more lackadaisical Pavement-y sounds. These guys are good and deliver perfect summer sounds no matter what you're looking for. There's a little bit of everything within the World Record -- although, certainly, it all revolves around pop, folk, and old garage rock (think the Kinks) -- and I couldn't be more thankful for them.

I hope these guys go somewhere. They've made something really accessible, really special, and really touching. So grab a couple tracks below and get the album, Guitars Forever here! - Bibabidi

The World Record - The brain child of Los Angeles' songwriter Andy Creighton definately lives up to the name. Less than 4 seconds after hearing "We're Number One" I was dancing around my office singing the absolutely addictive chorus. That could be a personal record for me.

"Check The Score, We're Number One!"
"Turn Around Now Back Where You're From"

It has been my anthem for the work day and a great torture device I constantly inflict on my co-workers. The moment I throw this on the stereo all work ceases for 3 minutes and 54 Seconds.

This song is more than just good and is definately in my top 3 for the year.

The band recently released their full length record Guitars Forever on Tallboy Records. You can catch them LIVE TONIGHT at the Silverlake Lounge with The Procession and Last American Buffalo. This band rarely plays shows so be sure to put them on your MUST SEE list for tonight. - Rock Insider

I’ve noticed a trend of naive — I’m presuming they’re naive; presumably they think they’re jaded — young college students spitting in the face of Los Angeles’ possibilities just as they’ve become old enough to explore them. L.A. is shallow! they cry. It’s a black hole covered in glitter! This is the stuff of smoky balcony conversations and drunken Facebook wall posts.

This may apply to Kress and Don Antonio’s (which I hear is really good when Heidi and Spencer aren’t there, and probably when they are, too), but L.A. has too many buried treasures to bludgeon it with generalizations. To wit: The World Record, a power-pop band that picks up right where Fountains of Wanye left off circa That Thing You Do!, flannel-shirted, bespectacled and cranked to 11. They hail from the city of Angels, and I love them.

And I didn’t know they existed. Somehow Guitars Forever has gone two years without my notice. It has the best album title of all time and the songs are almost as good. All of them make me want to roll down every window on the 405. Do you like movies? Do you like museums? Do you like dancing? Do you like ice cream? The band sings on “Watch Out For Love,” and I think, and hope, you know the answer. - Rawkblog

Justin from Aquarium Drunkard hit me up yesterday to tell me about The World Record. Shortly thereafter, he let the whole world know. Well I’m as impressed as I’m sure you all are; these guys are fantastic.

Well, Justin went ahead and threw out the Big Star comparison, so I’ll feel only slightly guilty for stealing that one. The World Record write some fantastic power pop, including “We’re #1.” In fact, I wonder if that might be a #1 Record reference (doubt it, but it’s a nice thought). It’s also got a little bit of Beulah running through it — most especially coming out in that nice trumpet part and the whole of the outro. - You Ain't No Picasso

Sure, name checking a band as the West coast heir apparent to Big Star is a bold statement, brave in fact, but that’s exactly how I’ve been hailing The World Record of late. I didn’t catch the bands live act until late ’07, but their 2006 long player Guitars! Forever would have most likely made my best of 2006 list had I been hip to them at the time. Power-Pop enthusiasts take note, this LP is the sugar sweet from top to bottom.

Local: if you are an Angeleno, The World Record do gig around town – and it’s usually an event – as it ain’t often. - Aquarium Drunkard

Sure, name checking a band as the West coast heir apparent to Big Star is a bold statement, brave in fact, but that’s exactly how I’ve been hailing The World Record of late. I didn’t catch the bands live act until late ’07, but their 2006 long player Guitars! Forever would have most likely made my best of 2006 list had I been hip to them at the time. Power-Pop enthusiasts take note, this LP is the sugar sweet from top to bottom.

Local: if you are an Angeleno, The World Record do gig around town – and it’s usually an event – as it ain’t often. - Aquarium Drunkard

So we stopped by most of the February residencies and saw good crowds on Monday and Tuesday. Most were filled to the brim with indie rockers and maybe a few that just looked like indie rockers (it's so hard to pick them out when everyone's wearing v-neck T's and pencil leg jeans). As far as the bands, The World Record might still own the world record for being the most under-talked about Los Angeles band of the last five years, but we're always happy to declare that Mr. Creighton cannot write a shitty song even if he wanted to. And you'd be wise to place their stellar debut album Guitars Forever somewhere close to your Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, and Sloan catalogs. You'd also be wise to them play a free show tomorrow at Mr. T's Bowl. - la-underground

...By now the club was strewn with various members of The Parson Red Heads and family members, as The World Record (below) is made up of odds and ends from that band. But they are hardly an afterthought. Now, I've been a fan of The Parson Red Heads for years now, but had never seen, nor heard, The World Record.

It was late, but I just had to stay for a couple of their songs. They began and I was caught immediately. It was power pop/indie rock of the highest order. Like The Parson Red Heads, it's guitar driven, strong on vocals, smartly written. It was a polished and perfected sound that just floored me.

Andy Creighton writes wonderful melodies and lyrics that are thoughtful, direct and honest. "Sizzling on a bus bench" is an expression I related to right away. I think he's a remarkable songwriter.

In talking to Sam Fowles over the past year, I knew he was a drummer, but I had only seen him as a guitarist/vocalist with The Parson Red Heads, so his drumming was a revelation to me. He transformed from a singing guitarist to a singing drummer in an instant.

Evan Way is always impressive to me, either as a solo performer or as THE Parson Red HEAD, but to see him fold himself into The World Record as second guitarist and harmony singer revealed an artist willing to step back and let others shine. And his contribution helps make this band as special as they are.

Aaron Ballard handles bass duties and provides the thrust that, when combined with Sam's drums, makes it impossible not to want to dance. I immediately picked up their CD and have played it over and over. It's as technically polished as any CD I've heard this year.

I'm not going to use up all my superlatives on this band now, because I'll be seeing them over and over and want to save some to use later. - Feed Your Head

The band: The World Record, a power-pop act led by Andy Creighton.

The sound: The title of the group's little-known debut, "Guitars Forever," is pretty self-explanatory: The band offers the instant-favorite choruses and bouncing rock rhythms favored by acts ranging from Big Star to Fountains of Wayne, with a hearty helping of sincere lyricism.

The details: Creighton says the band is "about half-done with mixing" 28 new songs, which will likely arrive as two separate albums. He'll join World Record bandmates Ross Flournoy and Brian Whelan at the Satellite on Feb. 12 for a performance by brother band Apex Manor.

The rest: Download a track from the group and read more over on Brand X. - Los Angeles Times