Cursive's "From the Hips" video

Cursive has recently put up their video for "From the Hips," which you can see below. The song is one of my favorites from their new album Mama, I'm Swollen, and I think the video is worth a look too:




Oh, and here's some tour dates starting in April:

APR. 24 ST. LOUIS, MO THE FIREBIRD
APR. 25 MEMPHIS, TN HI TONE
APR. 26 NASHVILLE, TN MERCY LOUNGE*
APR. 27 BIRMINGHAM, AL BOTTLETREE*
APR. 28 PENSACOLA, FL SLUGGOS*
APR. 29 ORLANDO, FL THE SOCIAL*
APR. 30 ORLANDO, FL THE SOCIAL*
MAY 1 ATLANTA, GA VARIETY PLAYHOUSE*
MAY 2 CARRBORO, NC CAT'S CRADLE*
MAY 3 WASHINGTON, DC BLACK CAT*
MAY 4 STATE COLLEGE, PA THE STATE THEATRE*
MAY 5 PITTSBURGH, PA DIESEL*
MAY 6 DETROIT, MI MAGIC STICK*
MAY 7 MILWAUKEE, WI TURNER HALL
MAY 8 MINNEAPOLIS, MN FIRST AVENUE
MAY 9 CHICAGO, IL BOTTOM LOUNGE
*with MAN MAN

Review: Cursive - Mama, I'm Swollen (* * * 1/2)

Cursive's new album, Mama, I'm Swollen, is probably an awkward place for me to get introduced to the Omaha-based indie band; from what I've been hearing, it's quite the departure from much of their earlier material. The album is a follow-up to their two critically acclaimed releases, 2006's Happy Hollow and 2003's The Ugly Organ, the latter of which was something of a breakthrough album for the group. While the new approach may alienate some fans, the dark, twisted songs of 'Mama' makes for a wildly uneven but consistently fascinating 40 minute ride of emo-tinged indie rock.

Singer/songwriter Tim Kasher lets his demons out all through the album's 10 tracks, relating bizarre, uncomfortably detailed narratives and slinging constant references of his all-too-certain ascent to hell. Some tracks are upbeat and snappy, like the fantastic pop-punk tune "From The Hips" and the horn-laden rocker "Caveman." Others feature a slower, more sinister sound, as the strangely dark "Let Me Up," and the samba-esque rhythm of "We're Going To Hell," which is more than a little creepy. Cursive explore some interesting territory on their new material, adding subtle embellishments to expand their basic guitar/drum/bass arrangements into some interesting moments, and while Kasher occasionally comes across as too heavy-handed, his melodies remain catchy and his songwriting sharp.

'Mama' is not an easy album to love. The whole project feels like the confession of a tortured soul, and even on the brighter musical moments, the lyrics frequently make the songs feel emotionally heavy. The effect can be oppressive when the album is consumed as a whole, but the best work on Mama, I'm Swollen makes it a record worth experiencing and spending the time to figure out.

Cursive on MySpace

Cursive set to release new album, debuts two songs

Cursive is back with another album, Mama, I'm Swollen, due out March 10 on Saddle Creek Records. In preparation for the release, the band are previewing two tracks from the upcoming record. The first is "I Couldn't Love You," which you can find at EW.com, and the second is "From the Hips," which you can hear at AbsolutePunk.net. If these two songs are any indication of the quality of the upcoming record, it's gonna be good.

The band are also playing on Letterman on the 13th, so make sure you check them out there, and lastly, Cursive has a fairly brief tour scheduled, some of which is already sold out.

Tour Dates:

MAR. 9 BROOKLYN, NY MUSIC HALL of WILLIAMSBURG (sold-out)
MAR. 10 NEW YORK, NY BOWERY BALLROOM (sold-out)
MAR. 12 LOS ANGELES, CA SPACELAND (sold-out)
MAR. 13 LOS ANGELES, CA THE TROUBADOUR (sold-out)
MAR. 14 SAN DIEGO, CA THE CASBAH (sold-out)
MAR. 15 PHOENIX, AZ RHYTHM ROOM
MAR. 16 ALBUQUERQUE, NM THE LAUNCHPAD
MAR. 18 SAN ANTONIO, TX WHITE RABBIT
MAR. 19 - 21 AUSTIN, TX SXSW