The Modern Electric – “Same Old Haunts” (audio) (premiere)

With a sound that’s indebted to Bruce Springsteen and his post-millennial disciples the Gaslight Anthem and the Killers, Cleveland band the Modern Electric combine blue-collar themes from Middle America with smart pop arrangements on their new album Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The contagious latest single “Same Old Haunts” is a fine example, going for that big, cinematic sweep of the E Street Band, but with vocals that opt for sensitivity rather than boisterousness.

“We were listening to Born to Run when we wrote the song and Roxy Music when we recorded it,” says singer/guitarist/pianist Garrett Komyati. “When you are haunted by someone, whether it be a past relationship or someone you’ve lost, all you want is an escape. I wrote this song about trying to get a person off of my mind by any means necessary. Sometimes hanging out with friends works. Sometimes finding a quick replacement works. Women, drugs, God, movies…it may sound reckless, but that is the name of the game when you are desperate for relief.”

Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released 18 August.