BUY “LIGHT UP GOLD”

Light Up Gold’s 2nd pressing is now available. If you were lucky enough to get the first pressing note that it has gold labels, and the 2nd pressing has a lovely baby blue center label. Just a little collector scum info:

First Press: 500 (100 gold vinyl, 400 black)

Second Press: 2,000 (all black)

Anyway, you can get your grubby hands on it at any of these fine soundmongers:

Whats Your Rupture?
Dull Tools
Insound
Amazon

Also, available digitally at eMusic or iTunes, if you are into that sort of thing.

WED DEC 26 DETROIT, MI @ JUMBO’S w/ Protomartyr, Kommie Kilpatrick, Turn to Crime
THUR DEC 27 CHICAGO, IL @ THE EMPTY BOTTLE w/ The Gizmos, The Yolks
FRI DEC 28 OMAHA, NE @ THE SWEATSHOP w/ Yuppies, Adult Films, Capgun Coup
SAT DEC 29 KANSAS CITY, KS @ THE MANHEIMAN w/ Eunuch
SUN DEC 30 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK @ BAD GRANNY’S w/ The Phaggs, Gay Uncle, Glow God
MON DEC 31 DENTON, TX @ RGRS w/ Endless Thoughts, Sin Motivo
WED JAN 2 AUSTIN, TX @ BEERLAND w/ Sweet Talk, Endless Thoughts
THUR JAN 3 BEAUMONT, TX @ VICTORIA HOUSE w/ Native America, Hello Chief
FRI JAN 4 OXFORD, MS @ LAMAR LOUNGE
SAT JAN 5 NASHVILLE, TN @ THE OWL FARM w/ Dirty Dreams
SUN JAN 6 MURRAY, KY @ TATER-TOT MANSION w/ Quailbones
MON JAN 7 COLUMBUS, OH @ CAFE BOURBON ST w/ Connections, Psychedelic Horseshit, WV White
TUES JAN 8 PITTSBURGH, PA @ THE VATICANT w/ Psychic Boots, Crappy Funeral
WED JAN 9 WASHINGTON, DC @ THE ROCKETSHIP w/ Priests, Teen Liver
THUR JAN 10 PHILADELPHIA, PA @ KUNK FU NECKTIE w/ Priests, The Mike Bell Band, Amanda X
FRI JAN 11 BROOKLYN, NY @ DBA w/ Priests, PC Worship, In School
MON JAN 14 SAN DIEGO @ SODA BAR
TUES JAN 15 LOS ANGELES @ THE ECHO
WED JAN 16 SAN FRANCISCO @ HEMLOCK TAVERN
FRI JAN 18 PORTLAND @ BUNK BAR w/ Naomi Punk, Nucular Aminals
SAT JAN 19 SEATTLE @ CAIRO w/ Naomi Punk

YR NO STONER

So here is us at our very first show in January 2011 playing “Yr No Stoner”…

And here is us playing it (1:30) at Death By Audio in March 2012.

Light Up Gold News

“Light Up Gold” makes Permanent Records’ recommendation wall!

One of our favorite records stores, Permanent Records in Chicago, has put Light Up Gold up on their recommendation wall, and frankly we couldn’t be more humbled.  Thanks a lot to Permanent for their support.  I always make a point to swing by when I’m in town.  Also a great label!

Reviews for Light Up Gold

Terminal Boredom

Dunno what it is exactly, but ‘Light Up Gold’ has gotten under my skin. It’s basically an indie rock album, but in a throwback sense, cuz it’s actually good and has sharp edges and smart-ass lyrics that ring true. Parquet Courts echo several generations of stripped-down rock, with an ear for a hook and a harmony (not some Beach Boys bullshit, just regular dudes finding cool melodies that aren’t corpse-fucked to death). The clean-toned guitars and steady rhythms recall The Feelies, while the inwardly angsty vocals and occasional spazz-outs bring Tyvek to mind. Maybe even some of the neurotic romanticism of the Modern Lovers. Not a bad place to plant your flag. Parquet Courts do it with a grace that belies their years. Originally a solo project by either Fergus or Geronimo, Parquet Courts released an excellent cassette last year called ‘American Specialties’ that seemed to fly under everyone’s radar. ‘Light Up Gold’ is a full band full-length, and while each song is distinct, the album works together nicely as a whole; great care was obviously put into the sequencing. The recording by Jonathan Schenke is crystal-clear, and it suits the band perfectly. “Master of My Craft” is an instantly memorable song, and takes the Tyvek influence and runs with it, as does “Yonder,” which might be the best song on the album. “Borrowed Time” feels like the sort of indie rocker that everyone forgot how to write. Like a sober Archers of Loaf, guitar-spray toned down, but the bitterness is unmistakable. “Donuts Only” has a sideways swagger with A. Savage’s choked vocals fighting to be heard; “Yr No Stoner” has the elastic twitch of Come On, while “Career in Combat” is a brief rumination a la Minutemen. Side-ender “North Dakota” has the slack charm of ‘Crooked Rain’-era Pavement. The second side isn’t quite as strong, but “Stoned and Starving” is the most Feelies-esque song and is a winning five minutes of red-eyed spaced-out New York rambling, even name-checking my ‘hood – Ridgewood, Queens (bitch!). It drifts into Neu! territory, but instead of motorik, it’s more of a walking beat. “Caster of Worthless Spells” is a respectable GBV rip, and “Picture of Health” is a suitably moody and ambivalent closing song. Sleeper record here, folks. 

The Elementary Revolt

Parquet Courts are a New York/Texas based band featuring A. Savage an amazing musician known for his contributions to Teenage Cool Kids, Wiccans, and Fergus & Geronimo. Parquet Court’s sound is hard to pin down. Parquet Court’s sound is a mish mash of sounds including psych punk made popular by bands such as Woods and Later-era Meneguar to more straight forward punk. Added to this beautiful mess is a post punk sound influenced by bands such as Sonic Youth, Guided By Voices, and Built To Spill. This style might not be for some, but people open to hearing something new and different really need to give Parquet Courts a listen. Great stuff! Enjoy!

Patrick’s Music Blog

The Parquet Courts are a Post Punk band and ”Light Up Gold” is their proper debut full length album(They released album before this entitled ”American Specialities” that was available on cassette only) . This album though it sticks closely to the typical post punk blueprint sonically it’s a more raw and DIY sounding a record. The lyrics are sung very emotively with a lot of character and personality. Each track is like a short punk blast about stoner city life that if you take the time to delve into are pretty poignant and poetic. Parquet Courts sound very lively almost like I can just imagine them in a garage somewhere hashing these tracks out and recording them as is. Overall this is a solid post punk album that I would probably listen to again. Check it out!

Sweet Nothing

Light Up Gold is the first proper LP of Texas punk band, Parquet Courts. You might recognize their guitarist//singer Andrew Savage from his other projectsTeenage Cool Kids and Fergus & Geronimo. With this project, Savage explores the kind of genre that is found at the root of punk music’s creation. Their first four track release American Specialties had a really raw, yet disconnected feeling, mixing beautiful Jonathon Richman-esque tracks with songs that have a distorted, heavy sound like Black Flag. On this new and polished release, the now fully realized Parquet Courts creates many delightfully catchy songs that feel somewhat familiar, but are successfully distinguished from pioneers of the past.

One of the many reasons why Light Up Gold is a truly great first LP is that it is really easy to get into. This sort of “classic” vibe that is layered over each track gives the album an agreeable feeling. That 70’s style of punk that Parquet Courts draw from is such a neutral style of music. This allows for Light Up Gold to maintain a steady and balanced emotion, for it’s roots lie in many of music’s modern genres. There would be no surprise if a wide variety of music lovers find themselves enjoying this release. Light Up Gold is an album that when you put it on, you have no reason to turn it off. It’s an album that molds itself easily into whatever occasion.Many of Light Up Gold’s tracks have this “strike and finish” nature to them that I really love. They seem to end unexpectedly, and at odd moments. “Borrowed Time,” “Yr No Stoner,” and “Disney PT” are prime examples of this. These songs just seem to come and go as they please, leaving behind feelings of longing and puzzling euphoria. Light Up Gold often feels like a dream or a summer day in that it pleases you as long as it likes to, without you having any control.Parquet Courts debut album, Light Up Gold, is a charming and simple LP that sets the standard high for a first full length. With it’s fifteen track timespan, you’ll have a hard time getting bored of this thing. It’s familiar, but doesn’t feel recycled, it’s stable, but doesn’t feel complacent, and it’s repetitive, but is never monotonous. Parquet Courts remind us of how fun and upbeat music can be, and doesn’t take themselves too seriously. All in all, Light Up Gold is a reliable album from start to finish that is nostalgic and easy to sing along to. Pre-order a copy of the vinyl, courtesy of Dull Tools. This thing is totally worth it!

9/10

 

Austin Town Hall

I feel like it has been awhile since I’ve posted a good punk rock jam, but luckily today, I got ahold of Parquet Courts latest album, Light Up Gold.  The band has roots in Texas, although they currently operate out of New York, so it only seems natural that I’d gravitate towards their sound.  On this effort, they’ve got the production down, which has really made way for the songwriting to reach the listeners.  Those of you interested in the period where punk merged into post-punk will find yourself happy, as the grooves definitely are pogo worthy, and the vocal delivery is spot on.  Happy to support these guys; you can grab their record from Dull Tools.

 

The Needle Drop

 

Stores Currently carrying Light Up Gold

Stores

End of an Ear (Austin)

Waterloo Records (Austin)

Other Music (NYC)

Academy Annex (NYC)

Cake Shop (NYC)

Permanent Records (Chicago)

Landlocked Music (Indiana)

Vinyl Edge Records (Houston)

Mad World Records (Denton, TX)

Sloth Records (Calgary, AB)

Dream on Records (Yokohama, Japan)

Distros

Dull Tools

Play Pinball

Hot Green

Slovenly Distro

Revolver USA

If your favorite store or disto is still not carrying Light Up Gold, have them email dulltools@gmail.com!

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday August 18th @ Death By Audio

Parquet Courts

Family Curse

Protomartyr (Detroit)

Bandname (Philly)

 

Light Up Gold available August 18th from Dull Tools

PRE-ORDER HERE          LISTEN HERE

PRE-ORDER HERE          LISTEN HERE

PRE-ORDER HERE          LISTEN HERE

PRE-ORDER HERE          LISTEN HERE

Little was said about Parquet Courts’ debut effort, American
Specialties. Released exclusively on cassette tape, the quasi-album
was an odd collection of 4 track recordings that left those who were
paying attention wanting more. A year of woodshedding live sets passed
before the Courts committed another song to tape. The band’s first
proper LP, Light Up Gold, is a dynamic and diverse foray into the back
alleys of the American DIY underground. Bright guitars swirl
serpentine over looping, groovy post-punk bass lines and drums that
border on robotic precision. While the initial rawness of the band’s
early output remains, the songwriting has gracefully evolved. Primary
wordsmiths A. Savage and Austin Brown combine for a dynamic lyrical
experience, one part an erudite overflow of ideas, the other an
exercise in laid-back observation. Lyrically dense, the poetry is in
how it flows along with the melody, often times as locked-in as the
rhythm section.

“This record is for the over-socialized victims of the 1990′s ‘you can
be anything you want’, Nickelodeon-induced lethargy that ran away from home not out of any wide-eyed big city daydream, but just out of a
subconscious return to America’s scandalous origin,” writes Savage in
the album’s scratched-out liner notes. Recorded over a few days in a
ice-box practice space, Light Up Gold is equally indebted to
Krautrock, The Fall, and a slew of contemporaries like Tyvek and Eddy
Current Suppression Ring.

Though made up of Texan transplants, Parquet Courts are a New York
band. Throw out the countless shallow Brooklyn bands of the blasé
2000′s: Light Up Gold is a conscious effort to draw from the rich
culture of the city – the bands like Sonic Youth, Bob Dylan, and the
Velvet Underground that are not from New York, but of it. A panoramic
landscape of dilapidated corner-stores and crowded apartments is
superimposed over bare-bones Americana, leaving little room for
romance or sentiment. It’s punk, it’s American, it’s New York… it’s
the color of something you were looking for.

-Tim Hodgin