Jackson Free Press

I've been listening to Living Better Electrically's self-titled EP since it came out in 2003, and still I'm at a loss for words when people want to know what they sound like. Yeah, it's a little Bowie, a little T.Rex. But it's more than glam rock. It's complicated as hell, but it's catchy. Their songs are brilliant, sprawling and timeless anthems.

Their new album, "The Worst Year of My Life," (Sweet Tea Records) is an album that, from what I've heard, just may be my favorite record of next year. Songs like "Aye, Me" and "Chin Quivers" will hang in your head for days, begging you to decipher the meanings of their lyrics. When singer Joshua Clark sings out, "I hope we all die young," in "Aye, Me," you just have to cross your fingers that he doesn't because music this good needs to persist.

Joshua and Jakob Clark, the anchoring brothers of the five-piece group, talked with me about the new album, their upcoming concert and bubble baths.

How are the new LBE songs different from the self-titled EP?

Jakob: Well, first off, they are more orchestrated. In the studio we used actual strings and some horns this time. Of course, we don't do that live, but we tend to be able to rearrange our usual instruments in ways to express the orchestral sections that are there in the recordings. All in all, the live sound ends up more rock 'n' roll, but the parts are still there and are slightly more complex than earlier recordings.

Joshua: It pretty much goes in the obvious direction that the EP hinted at. We, depending on your point of view, grew in a really natural way into this record. Hopefully we will, despite certain labels sitting on our record like an Eames' ottoman, continue to do so in this group, and in whatever Jakob and I decide to do together in the future. Viva la resistance!

What's the song-writing process like?

Joshua: Normally, the song is pretty much completed by the main songwriter. Then when the group figures them out, we all sort of shape the musical moments into terrifying little creatures we all can play with.

Jakob: Joshua usually runs me a hot bubble bath and lights some candles. Then we talk about the good times when we were wee lads. It usually conjures up some sort of inspiration like "lavender" or something.

What has been the most memorable concert LBE has played?

Joshua: The Belhaven Nights Show was interesting. We normally don't get the chance to play in front of that sort of audience (i.e. early enough for old people and underage fans could get in).

Jakob: Either the show in New York for CMJ, really because I visited MoMA for the first time, or one of our South by Southwest gigs in Austin. I got to meet a lot of cool people like Wayne Coyne, the couple from The Raveonettes, the fella from the Polyphonic Spree and Jody Stephens from Big Star.

Tell me about your side project, "I am Modern Man."

Joshua: (It's) fine meats and cheeses.

Jakob: Joshua and I have always had our other side. This is it. I had a lot to write after my divorce. Most of my tunes were written promptly after. The songs are less rock 'n' roll and will probably prove to use orchestral elements even more than the LBE record that we will release. This is more of a 50/50 effort on Joshua's and my part and will feature a song or two fully written together. We haven't started recording it yet, but are currently rehearsing for our first sessions.

Joshua: (It's) Tom Waits meets the Everly Brothers.

What kind of music did your parents play while you were growing up?

Joshua: The Kinks, Rolling Stones, the Animals, Chad and Jeremy. Not too much Beatles and no (David) Bowie. Don't listen to Jakob: no Beatles and no Bowie.

Jakob: A lot of contemporary Christian music at first. I think that must have escaped Joshua's memory. Other than that, what he says is true. In fact he has the scars to prove it. I rammed a bat in his head while listening to The Who. I think I was "smashing my guitar." There was a generous helping of Beatles. Joshua's gone mad.

Living Better Electrically plays Hal & Mal's Nov. 22. They don't play often in Jackson, so don't miss it. Full disclosure: Jakob Clark is a designer for the Jackson Free Press.