Jackson Free Press

The Weeks have returned to Mississippi to play a series of seven shows, coinciding with the upcoming release of its first full-length album since signing to the label Serpents and Snakes. The last stop is at Hal & Mal's March 8.

A few years ago, the members of The Weeks moved to Nashville to live together and make music. The band has gone through several changes since then. In 2012, it became one of the first additions to the Followill brothers' (of Kings of Leon fame) new record label, Serpents and Snakes, and keyboardist Alex Collier joined the band. Now, the guys are gearing up for the release of their first full-length album since "Comeback Cadillac" in 2008.

Lead singer Cyle Barnes says that the album is about the transitions that they have been making.

"A lot (of our songs) are based around just what we've been doing," he says. "Things have kind of changed, and we've been touring more and more. The songs loosely reflect what we've been doing, or at least the mood does. It's kind of based on the changes the band has gone through the past two or three years."

The album's title track, "Dear Bo Jackson," is especially representative of that idea. It opens with guitarist Sam Williams playing a soft melody, accented lightly by bassist Damien Bone just before drummer Cain Barnes comes in strong and fast.

The song "has a lot to do with the tours we've been on and the life that we've been hectically living for the past couple of years," Barnes says.

One of Barnes' favorite tracks on the album, however, is "Chickahominy," which is inspired by the band's move to Nashville.

Despite all the changes with The Weeks, the band has been able to retain its original fan base while earning new fans across the country. "In Jackson, whenever W.C. Don's was still open, we played there all the time. I've seen people who were there seven years ago who, when we play in Jackson again, will still be there," Barnes says.

Don't expect to hear the same polished, clean sound from any of the band's albums when you hear The Weeks live. "The songs that are on the album are different beasts entirely from our live shows," Barnes says. While the band plays a mixture of new 
and old tracks when performing, it also adds to the songs a fast-paced jam style that the band members describe as "sludge pop." Barnes describes it as "dragging the music through a swamp." The songs sound as if they've been put under a muddy filter, but the foot-stomping catchiness of the intrinsically pop songs does not cease to wear off.

The Weeks, Lightbeam Rider and Junior Astronomers perform at Hal & Mal's (200 S. Commerce St., 601-948-0888) at 8 p.m. Admission is limited to those 18 and older, and tickets cost $8. For other tour dates, including Brookhaven and Hattiesburg, or to purchase the album, "Dear Bo Jackson," visit theweeksmusic.com.

Fun Fact

A photograph of the band performing in January at the Mercury Lounge in New York City is featured on Rolling Stone's website's "Hottest Live Photosof 2013."