The way Matt Sheehy–whose band is known as Gravity & Henry–starts this track with sparse, cold and slightly distorted drum beats under his sweet, straightforward vocals reminds me an awful lot of something John Vanderslice would do. And I love me some John Vanderslice. But the way “Lunatics” (presented here as a rough version from Sheehy’s upcoming debut, Tigerphobia, due fall 2007) then builds on that simplistic intro, adding more percussive layers, guitar, piano and sweeping vioin, is nothing to balk at, either.

It might be the way Sheehy takes this semi-experimental track and makes it climax with supreme catchiness at its chorus that’s most impressive, though. Sheehy’s rich voice strikes me as a somewhat less affected version of Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and when he belts out the refrain “Stand up/ Stand in” midway through the song, it hits your ears with earnest emotion. Sheehy also adds subdued, kinda Rob Crowe-ish (Pinback) backing vocals after said lines–an undoubtedly cool, seemingly minor touch.

The thing that surprises most every time I listen to this track, though, is the bass-led ending. Just when you think “Lunatics” is gonna capsize with indie-folk orchestration, it falls back to basics, taking you out with the sort of bass line that makes you arch your back and purse your lips. Nice!

Download audio file (aintthatlonely.mp3)

Sheehy plays with Blue Cranes and Shoeshine Blue Thursday, April 26, at Holocene. 8 pm. $6. 21+.

Matt Sheehy on MySpace
Sheehy’s good ol’ fashioned website

Photo: by Shayla Hason.

*This Cut of the Day was originally posted with the incorrect song name “Ain’t That Lonely Yet” due to an iTunes snafu. LocalCut regrets the error.