Generationals
New Orleans-based indie pop outfit Generationals craft hook-filled tunes that draw liberally from rock and pop's '50s, '60s, and '70s heyday, while maintaining a modern sensibility. Emerging in the late 2000s, the band built upon their earlier popularity as members of the Eames Era, issuing albums like 2009's Con Law and 2011's Actor-Caster. After signing to Polyvinyl, they hit Billboard's Heatseekers Chart with both 2013's Heza and 2014's Alix. Following the year-long 2018 singles compilation, State Dogs: Singles 2017-2018, they delivered 2019's Reader as Detective and 2023's Heatherhead.
Formed in 2007 by guitarists/songwriters Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer, Generationals initially formed after the breakup of the duo's previous band, Eames Era. Like their early labelmates Dr. Dog, Spinto Band, and Capitol Years, Generationals embraced a lo-fi recording aesthetic buffered by their advanced musical chops, resulting in a clever new take on sugar pop psychedelia. The band's Park the Van debut, Con Law, arrived in July of 2009. They returned in 2011 with the equally sugary-sweet sophomore effort Actor-Caster.
Two years later, the group moved to Polyvinyl, which released their third studio LP, Heza, followed in 2014 by the '80s synth pop-influenced Alix. Both hit the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. Generationals celebrated their new label's 20th anniversary in 2016 by covering "In Green" by Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! for the Polyvinyl Plays Polyvinyl collection.
In 2018, they issued the compilation set State Dogs: Singles 2017-2018, which showcased songs recorded and released individually over the course of a year. It was also during this period that Widmer moved to Wisconsin while Joyner remained in New Orleans. Working remotely via file sharing, the duo continued to write and record. They returned in 2019 with their sixth studio album, Reader as Detective, featuring the single "I Turned My Back on the Written Word."
By 2021, the duo had again reconvened in Athens, Georgia to record in-studio directly to tape. While they found the process inspiring, they weren't happy with the material and ultimately shelved the album. They eventually picked it back up, recording partially on their own and partially together at Widmer's Wisconsin home, before finishing the album remotely with the aid of multi-instrumentalist and producer Nick Krill. The resulting Heatherhead arrived in June 2023, showcasing a mesmerizing blend of textural, guitar- and synth-based indie pop. Included on the album was the song "Elena," featuring guest Sarah Jaffe.
© Matt Collar & James Christopher Monger /TiVo
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