Chew Heart "Messy Snarls" Review on The Deli
Chew Heart
I've spent the weekend digesting the debut album, Messy Snarls, from Laura Granlund and Curt Swank (aka Chew Heart). The duo has been performing together for the last six years, and finally entered the studio, with the talented Brian Zieske (Gallery of Carpet), to capture some of that live energy. Messy Snarls finds the duo wearing their influences on their sleeves and pouring everything out through their instruments. The album was recorded live and you can tell in the sound, but I feel that adds to the nostalgic feel of the album.
What sets Chew Heart apart is that they do give a subtle nod to their love of '60's pop, but they don't drown in it like many bands today. In fact I would say they are more influenced by '90's indie rock than anything else. In fact I would say this band is a combination of Saturday Looks Good to Me and Frente. There is a raw edge, but sweet innocence that ultimately prevails.
Chew Heart celebrates the release of Messy Snarls on Sept. 12th at The Whistler, but you can purchase it from their etsy page for just $5.
Published on August 09, 2010
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'Nasty, poppy, '60s, weird': In the studio with Chicago's King Sparrow
Windy City Rock interviews Chicago's King Sparrow and Producer Brian Zieske during a mix session for their upcoming record.
Windy City Rock
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Windy City Rock
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Five Great Recording Studios in Chicago, The Examiner, August 3, 2009
Chicago's Bailiff to headline Lincoln Hall 1/9
Color Radio
Color Radio's most recent EP reviewed by Performer Magazine
Performer Magazine December 2009
(page 29, and continued on page 31)
Performer Magazine
"”Jeff Tweedy has a posse”
Color Radio
Be Safe, Beware
Chicago, IL
Produced and mastered by Brian
Zieske at the Gallery of Carpet in
Villa Park, IL // Additional recordings
by Mark Yoshizumi at Studio Chicago
The latest four-song EP from Color Radio, while over too soon, exhibits exquisite attention to detail. Be Safe, Beware delivers solid hooks amidst airy production. This is definitely a “headphones” record, and one warranting many repeat listens. If you only grant it one go-through, you might not notice all the bells and glockenspiels that creep in under the catchy-as-hell guitar riffs and refrains. Its cranial infiltration is a stealth mission, however, you will not know the songs are catchy until four hours later when the title track is still looping through your brain without intention to stop. Wilco once used similar tactics on Summerteeth, and Color Radio seem to owe much to their fellow Chicago natives. They have the same tendency to philosophize off-handedly over solid rock progressions and swirling ambiance, though the lead guitar riffs would be likelier found on a Cold War Kids track. Poignant closer “Curds and Whey” reaches the same affective heights that Jeff Tweedy is capable of, though Color Radio avoids lyrical enigmas in favor of frank and simple narrative.
Be Safe, Beware certainly embodies “quality over quantity,” but it leaves us wondering why we can’t have both, already. Color Radio has demonstrated here that they have the range and capability to tackle a full-length. While the EP maintains tonal consistency, each song distinguishes itself considerably from the rest and each is strong enough to be a single in its own right. At this point, it’s likely just a waiting game for the LP. (self-released) >Sasha Geffen< www.myspace.com/colorradio"
PDF Copy of Magazine (article on page 29 and continues on page 31)
Text File of Article
Performer Magazine December 2009
(page 29, and continued on page 31)
Performer Magazine
"”Jeff Tweedy has a posse”
Color Radio
Be Safe, Beware
Chicago, IL
Produced and mastered by Brian
Zieske at the Gallery of Carpet in
Villa Park, IL // Additional recordings
by Mark Yoshizumi at Studio Chicago
The latest four-song EP from Color Radio, while over too soon, exhibits exquisite attention to detail. Be Safe, Beware delivers solid hooks amidst airy production. This is definitely a “headphones” record, and one warranting many repeat listens. If you only grant it one go-through, you might not notice all the bells and glockenspiels that creep in under the catchy-as-hell guitar riffs and refrains. Its cranial infiltration is a stealth mission, however, you will not know the songs are catchy until four hours later when the title track is still looping through your brain without intention to stop. Wilco once used similar tactics on Summerteeth, and Color Radio seem to owe much to their fellow Chicago natives. They have the same tendency to philosophize off-handedly over solid rock progressions and swirling ambiance, though the lead guitar riffs would be likelier found on a Cold War Kids track. Poignant closer “Curds and Whey” reaches the same affective heights that Jeff Tweedy is capable of, though Color Radio avoids lyrical enigmas in favor of frank and simple narrative.
Be Safe, Beware certainly embodies “quality over quantity,” but it leaves us wondering why we can’t have both, already. Color Radio has demonstrated here that they have the range and capability to tackle a full-length. While the EP maintains tonal consistency, each song distinguishes itself considerably from the rest and each is strong enough to be a single in its own right. At this point, it’s likely just a waiting game for the LP. (self-released) >Sasha Geffen< www.myspace.com/colorradio"
PDF Copy of Magazine (article on page 29 and continues on page 31)
Text File of Article