In House #1758: The Dears in Salt Lake City; New Stephin Merritt

The outside seems to become Murray Lightburn. The Dears' frontman proudly declares that he "hangs out with all the pariahs," in the midst of "Ticket to Immortality," and it's a theme he stresses throughout the course of Gang of Losers, the third full-length from the Montreal-based band. Again and again Lightburn's lyrics broach the topic of what might be called the dispossessed, the other-- whether that means personal, social, or political-- leading to the de facto title track, "You & I Are a Gang of Losers," missives like "Whites Only Party," and lines like "nobody wants you, but we want you." The dramatic set is at once both dark and hopeful, Lightburn's silver lining being that he and the rest of his outsiders are on the outside together, that they "have the same hearts." Artists as diverse as Serge Gainsbourg, Queen, and The Smiths have all been cited as influence on the music, and Lightburn's music-as-therapy approach to its creation is well-fed by such sources. Currently touring in support of Gang of Losers, The Dears bring their much talked about live show to the area tonight, playing the Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City.

The Dears

In House #1758.
Airdate: 12/04/06
Focus: The Dears in Salt Lake City tonight, plus new music from Jarvis Cocker, Stephin Merritt, The Silent Years, and more.

BONUS MP3s from today's show-
The Dears, from Gang of Losers: "Whites Only Party" (MP3)

Jarvis Cocker, from Jarvis: "Dont Let Him Waste Your Time" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #217

Get The Dears' Gang of Losers at Insound.