Drawing from both British shoegaze and Lone Star C&W, Denton trio Lift to Experience adds state pride, revivalist spirituality, and dry humor to one of Texas’ great one-and-dones. Does Josh T. Pearson, singing in a voice as plainspoken as a newscaster’s, really mean it when he says, “All of rock & roll until now was to give place to the angels”? Despite both a sonic and packaging upgrade, this reissue doesn’t address the question. It does, however, reinvigorate the epic sweep and tidal wave dynamics of “These Are the Days” and “With Crippled Wings.” Sixteen years after its original release, The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads remains a unique – and very Texan – artifact. (Thu. 16, Parish, 1am; Sat. 18, Central Presbyterian Church, 12mid)
This article appears in March 17 • 2017.
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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.
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