Labels: 54 40 Or Fight! Records
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Psuedosix appears to be a band from Portland, Oregon. Portland always makes me think of Portland Bill, the guy in a kids show who owned a lighthouse (similar style of animation to Postman Pat, Fireman Sam, do you see a connection with the naming convention here?). Psuedosix do not live in a lighthouse (at least, as far as I am aware). Instead, they play meandering and downbeat ‘stuff’ (what the hell is it? it’s that strange kind of American indie band take on a folkish / countryish sound that the likes of Songs: Ohia do I guess, man I am bad at indie band reviews, go read Pitchfork.) To me it at times it sounds like a cross between the Cosmos and (the sensible stuff by) Joan of Arc and Winfred E Eye in a way, the vocals are a little off-key and wavery (and nothing like Winfred), quite often there is two singers, and I think that works very well. The guitar tends to be quiet, and sometimes acoustic, nothing about the music is remotely intrusive and I found myself really enjoying the 14 songs on here. The tracks are quite often short, which is nice too as they then don’t drag on. Although that said, “Chasing You Down” at 5 minutes is longer, but it is played so softly and I find it quite beautiful in it’s sad slow manner, especially with the two singers working it together. “Madness” is one song that particularly makes me think of the Cosmos, with it’ super pleasant acoustic guitar and wobbly singing. Really really nice.
I just am not really qualified to write about this CD. If I had bought this rather than been sent it for review, I wouldn’t have dared even try, it would have just been one of those records I enjoyed without having to embarrass myself on the internet in attempting to talk about it. But so it goes. I enjoyed this CD, but I probably haven’t really helped you work out if you want to hear it or not. Oh well.