McCloud saddle up and ride back into view on their long-overdue comeback EP Look Behind You — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The first release in nearly 20 years from the New Orleans foursome finds them older and wiser (though they might dispute the latter), but no less committed to their richly rewarding, impeccably crafted brand of indie pop-rock. Firmly grounded by solidly built rhythms, artfully decorated with full-bodied guitar riffs and majestically soaring melodies, and topped with thoughtfully tender lyrics and raggedly vulnerable vocals reminiscent of J Mascis, these half-dozen tracks are a nostalgic musical six-pack for anyone with a thirst for the classic sounds of late ’90s and early ’00s. Simply put: Look Behind You tastes great. And it’s less filling. But hey, that’s me. Here’s how they put it:
“Hailing from the drunken, sunken city of New Orleans, McCloud have been playing their unique brand of melodic rock since their days attending LSU in the early oughts, when they would try to sneak in an original song or two in between Creed and Fuel covers at bars around campus. Fast-forward through 20 years of wives, kids and careers, and you will find today’s kinder, gentler McCloud — still playing their unique brand of indie-rock, albeit with much less at stake. Songwriting sessions are few and far between. Sometimes they consist of setting up their instruments, catching up and drinking beer. Sometimes they consist of cobbling together various riffs or ideas accumulated over the years and playing them 500 different ways until they turn into something that might be the best thing the band has ever written.
“With Look Behind You, McCloud have assembled six examples of the latter. While years have passed since the inception of some of these songs, the intention was and is always the same: McCloud will not succumb to trends, will not stop playing guitars, will not take themselves too seriously, and will not quit their day jobs. McCloud, will, however, continue to get together and play until they are physically and/or mentally incapable of doing so.
“When the band learned that one of The Afghan Whigs had a recording studio 45 minutes from where they live, it was all the impetus they needed to book five days of time in New Orleans’ Marigny Studios in January 2024. It had been nearly 20 years since the band last laid anything to tape — fathering, schooling, establishing businesses and climbing the social ladders of the suburbs leaves the washed-up rocker with nary a free weekend to exercise his atrophied strumming arms. However, by gathering in a barn on bayou liberty twice a year for the last couple of decades, the guys managed to put together a reasonable smattering of rock ’n’ roll songs.
“Drawing their musical inspiration from the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate, Pearl Jam and whatever the drummer listens to, McCloud’s third release in as many decades finds them settling into familiar roles while refining their contributions into well-crafted and thoroughly conceived offerings sure to delight 40-something dads who still won’t wear Crocs in public. Should the album fall into the right hands, the band would be delighted to open for a Mock Orange or a Hiss Golden Messenger — so long as the show ends before 9 p.m. and is within driving distance of their beds. McCloud are: Ricky Andre (drums), Eric Dills (guitar), Chad Favre (vocals, guitars) and Benjamin Tiblier (bass).”
Listen to Look Behind You below and check in on McCloud on their website, Instagram and Facebook.
