A Leaf and Phenomenal Cat

A Leaf “A Leaf”
This psychedelic Seattle band does a great job of weaving melody and sonic texture togther. “Wherever We Go” starts with hushed subtle vocals and light guitar plucks that builds into a majestic trip with handclaps and backwards guitar riffs.  The dreamy vocal harmonies of “Into The Light Undreamed” are joined by a lush orchestral chorus. I haven’t heard better pysche-pop since Olivia Tremor Control or The Mother Hips.

The absorbing and ethereal “Spheres” grabs you with a violin sweep and a “Byrd In The Morning” is a slow sleepy lullaby that is perfect for relaxation. Credit goes to guitarist/vocalist trio of Chris Bridges, Nate Daley and Shannon Donahue, with Andy Wamben on bass and Steven Demuth on drums. However after the albums mid point, the tracks stay a bit too mellow even for me. Other than the mid-tempo “Everything,” it actually has a nearly 6 minute song called “I Don’t Know Why I’m So Tired.” Still, a masterful attempt and a mind expanding trip with folky overtones that’s definitely worth taking.

Phenomenal Cat “Postcards from the British Empire”
This band released a single a month last year, so our pals at Futureman Records have compiled it all together into a single album download for us. I still love the harmonies on “Letters Home From Nazi-Occupied France” and  Move-like “Electricity & Volts.” And its “name-your-price” so you won’t break the bank either. FYI – the label is slowly amassing a big collection of previously out-of-print power pop classics that you need to add to your music collection. I will be reviewing them as part of a “Classics” section on power pop (stay tuned).