Labels: self released
Review by: MH
This is some indie pop with a sizeable folky tinge thanks partly to the presence of banjo, viola and violin. Bethesda are an Ohio sextet and this is their debut album. It appears to have been out for a couple of years but has recently found its way to Collective Zine. Apparently they are starting to get some attention and some bigger shows at the likes of Bonaroo and SXSW. The first song sets the stall out for what is to follow – a gentle beat, folky guitars and harmonised girl/boy (mainly girl) vocals. The second song “Puzzles” is an early highlight with sweet harmonies over a bouncy rhythm. It’s nice and pleasant all round although the twee levels are a bit too high for me on one or two of the tracks, particularly “The Boat Waltz”. The tail end of the album has a couple of pleasant slower, stripped-down songs. It’s not necessarily my kind of thing but it’s pretty nice and it’s certainly well-crafted.