Pitchfork: Norfolk & Western (ex-Decemberists) to Release EP

Norfolk & Western (ex-Decemberists) to Release EP

Mark Twain dubbed the late 1800s "The Gilded Age", referring to that period's growth in industry and wealth, and, concurrently, materialism and government scandals. Hey, that sounds familiar.

Portland alt-folkies Norfolk & Western will attempt to make the connection between that time and ours with the April 11 release of their new EP, A Gilded Age, on Hush Records. N&W; are the duo of former Decemberists drummer Rachel Blumberg and Type Foundry Recording Studio head honcho Adam Selzer. No, he can't get you free soda.

The eight-track disc lasts over half an hour, and includes the video for the title cut, so we'd have to say that it's more of an EP+ than an EP. It also features re-recorded versions of two songs that were previously available on last year's self-released CD If You Were Born Overseas. But it's still a bargain.

The vinyl version of the EP will be released by Jealous Butcher with three extra tracks.

Ageless beauty:

01 Porch Destruction
02 A Gilded Age
03 Watch the Days Slowly Fade
04 There Are No Places Left for Us
05 Minor Daughter
06 Clyde & New Orleans
07 We Were All Saints
08 A Voice Through the Wall

Norfolk & Western kick off a grueling mega-tour tonight in their hometown. We wish them the best of luck in this ambitious endeavour:

02-08 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge *
02-09 Olympia, WA - Eagles Hall *$
02-10 Seattle, WA - Vera Project *#

* with Karl Blau, Paleo
$ with Akron/Family, Sir Richard Bishop
# with Mt. Eerie

* Pitchfork Review: Norfolk & Western: If You Were Born Overseas