Pernice Brothers - Live a Little

Joe Pernice, the lead singer and songwriter behind The Pernice Brothers, holds a special place in my musical fandom. His songs, especially “Prince Valium”, “Our Time Has Passed” and “Number Two”, have always seemed to hit me at the right time, becoming the songs that explained louder any emotion I was feeling at the time. I even wrote a novella and titled it after one of Pernice’s songs.

But Pernice has only written a great album in its entirety once, 2001’s The World Won’t End. The World Won’t End was baroque pop at its most pristine: The Smith’s dark lyrical lament wrapped in Beach Boys’ beach pop. I was hooked, but further searches for Pernice’s music (along with five Pernice Brothers albums, Joe two releases with the Scud Mountain Boys, one with Chappaquiddick Skyline, and a solo record) yielded a lot of mediocrity laced with hidden gems.

Something you have to understand about Pernice Brothers’ albums, though…they need repeated listens. The World Won’t End, despite its sunny melodies, wasn’t initially gratifying, taking around six months before I really grasped what I was listening to. In an era of downloads, where entire albums slip down playlists before being given full attention, The Pernice Brothers struggle. Something else about Joe Pernice’s songs, though…those repeated listens are worth it. This isn’t some avant-garde pop band, don’t get me wrong, but the lush sound requires digestion.

Live a Little is The Pernice Brothers’ upcoming release. It’s not due in stores until October 3rd, but you can listen to the album at the band’s website. I’m in the middle of my first complete listen, and I’m surprised at how much I’m enjoying this album so early. There’s a move back toward the high points of The World Won’t End, at least more dramatic moves than the last two albums, Yours, Mine & Ours and Discover a Lovelier You. Part of my enjoyment is stemming from my understanding of what this album will become after repeated spins. “Automaton”, the opener, and “Somerville” recall “7:30” and “Bryte Side”. “B.S. Johnson” brightens a slow middle, and “PCH One” takes things down a notch with a nice sing-along ballad. The closer, “Grudge ****” is a new take on an old Scud Mountain Boys classic, with added production that somehow makes each version better in retrospect.

The Pernice Brothers are one of those bands for me, the bands that you’ll buy everything they ever turn out for good reason. Joe Pernice is a latter-day Brian Wilson with a dark side, and the shimmering tracks he builds become equally poignant in Summer, Winter or Fall. Live a Little doesn’t quite touch the heights of The World Won’t End, but who can say by next Spring?

Pernice Brothers, Live a Little: B