The Future Laureates Rethink The Recession

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 8, 2011 4:20PM

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything new from The Future Laureates (not to be confused with The Laureates). While the local band played the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival a few months ago and the Chicago Roots Festival just before that, they haven’t released any new material since their promising debut album, Your Mom Would Like Us, back in summer of 2008. Now, nearly three years later, they’re preparing to drop a new EP, Rethink the Recession.

The EP is short and sweet - a 3-track collection of endearing folk-pop that proves the band hasn’t lost its soulful energy. “Kingston Blues,” for example, is a fresh and fun melody led by a lively rhythm, brisk percussion, and warm, spirited vocals. On the other hand, the album’s closer “Metro Detroit in a Recession” slows things down to narrate the distress of a father who finds himself down and out in the current economic climate. Though the lyrics are at times underwhelming and awkwardly delivered, the band manages to tackle a somber issue with refreshing and engaging passion.

While the album is entertaining, The Future Laureates are really best experienced live, when their soulful vigor is entirely unfiltered. You can catch the band perform live at the Rethink the Recession release show this Friday, March 11 at the Mayne Stage. Also playing will be Kingsley Flood, How Far to Austin, and Nelken. For now, you can stream the album's opening track, “Creative Differences” over at The Future Laureates official site or download their debut album for the price of your choosing (including free) over at the band’s Bandcamp site.

The Future Laureates play Friday, March 11 at the Mayne Stage, 1328 W Morse, 8:30 p.m., $10 in advance or $12 at the door, All Ages