Thursday, October 21, 2010

Album Review: Cashes Rivers - Cashes Rivers

The music of singer songwriter Matthew Garcia shines on the self-titled debut album from the Des Moines collective Cashes Rivers.

The band stretches its wings, trying out a variety of sounds on the album. The bombastic folk sound of "Tracks" is reminiscent of Okkervil River, especially on the song "Tracks" while "Our Boats" is similar to The New Pornographers or Ted Leo.

The groovy rhythm and clavinet on "Man Made of Mud" harkens back to the British invasion. The chugging acoustic song "Local Drunk" even borders on emo (I know that's a scary word, but it's not a negative here).

The songwriting is the soul the album and the amazing arrangements bring them to life. The opening track, "As I Drift," transforms from a simple, acoustic track into a wall of beautiful noise, with thunderous drums, fuzzed out guitars and choir-like backing vocals.

Garcia's voice is strong and shines through whatever sonic landscape the band try out on each song. Cashes Rivers is an album full of hooks and charm and it's undeniably good.

Cashes Rivers is out on October 26 via Aqui Estamos Records. The band will open for The Love Language at Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Saturday, October 23 along with Twelve Thousand Armies.

Cashes Rivers will also play an early show at Slim's in Raleigh on Saturday, October 23 at 2 p.m.

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