[Introducing] – Erik Estrada’s Career Crisis

In a recent interview, James Murphy, the mastermind behind LCD Soundsystem was asked what band he expected to fill the gap left by LCD Soundsystem’s retirement this weekend at MSG.  His response: Erik Estrada’s Career Crisis. That’s right, the kids are mining second-rate, late-70s TV shows for their band names now. Regardless, the real question is whether these Poncherello-worshippers can live up to Murphy’s accolades.

And the answer is a resounding YES!

“EECC,” the debut EP from this foursome from Knoxville, Tennessee, immediately calls to mind The Strokes‘ “The Modern Age” EP.  The similarity is not so much in sounds, but in the tightening of your gut as you realize you are listening to ‘the next big thing.’ Simply put, “EECC” is a game-changer – a band showcasing its raw talent for a hungry musical world. From the M*A*S*H-like opening salvo of “Untitled 1,” there is no mistaking that EECC could fill LCD’s shoes and more.

The circuitous guitar work that opens “Untitled 2″ showcases the technical proficiency of EECC, and the jaw-dropping harmonic-breakdown near the track’s end is little more than a band proving that they are better than you. By the time “Untitled 4″ switches from 6/8 to 4/4 time, you realize EECC is simply playing at the next level. There is no word on a full-length, yet, but rumor has it that the guys will hit the road with TV on the Radio later this year. I’ll show for the opener and leave for the nightcap.

Erik Estrada’s Career Crisis – “Untitled 1″
Erik Estrada’s Career Crisis – “Untitled 2″
Erik Estrada’s Career Crisis – “Untitled 3″
Erik Estrada’s Career Crisis – “Untitled 4″
Erik Estrada’s Career Crisis – “Untitled 5″