The Music Notes email can be an interesting little piece of Internet real estate. There, Kevin and I are bombarded with music-related forwards from our fearless leader, Cristina. These messages run the gamut of local music. From coverage requests from promoters, press releases about stuff like some guy from Dave Matthews Band doing something at a high school in Franklin or something, and news on forthcoming local shows, we get it all.
One of the sweeter perks of braving this sea of emails each week – ranking juuuust above my frequent failed attempts to be funny – is the free music that occasionally finds its way to our inbox. Of course, the ethical thing to do is to give these press materials an unbiased listen and write a bit about them. Here are some of the new local releases that Music Notes happened upon.
 |
| Surgeons In Heat |
Surgeons In Heat – Surgeons In Heat
I was surprised to recently stumble upon the debut EP from Milwaukee-Madison power-pop outfit Surgeons In Heat. It wasn’t that I was in any way surprised that the trio founded in late 2009 managed a release. It was more shocking that the news of the release wasn’t crammed into my consciousness as part of the band’s relentless flare for promotion – as alluded to by a cavalier, and dare I say handsome, former Shepherd Express contributor last year.
Regardless of how the band’s six-song effort found its way to my ears, I was glad it did. Alone, the half dozen listless musical renderings that make up Surgeons In Heat don’t make any bounds. The bass is buried in the mix, and on the whole, the musical accompaniment seems more the meat-and-potatoes variety, relenting to the lyrics and vocals. Accordingly, the voice of Johnathon Mayer (no, not that Johnathon Mayer) pours a hearty helping of gravy on those meat and potatoes. The crooner’s pipes take the album to the next level, from their poignant place in the saddening “Storms Are Passing Over,” the driving force in the uncharacteristically rowdy “Wanna Get Up” to the somehow successful mating of Spoon and Bee Gees that is the falsetto-laden “Can’t Do No Right.”
 |
| Snowbirds |
Snowbirds – Snowbirds
On pedigree alone, Snowbirds deserves a listen. Current Dashboard Confessional bass player Scott Schoenbeck, who also played bass in The Promise Ring for a spell, is one of the founding members. The remainder of the band is comprised of seasoned musicians scattered throughout Wisconsin, from Green Bay to Milwaukee. Of course, I knew none of this until someone either in or affiliated with the serious side project personally sent mp3s and a press pack to my personal email. If that isn’t dedication, what is?
Despite its mysterious origin, Snowbirds’ self-titled debut full-length was a message I, following the initial puzzlement, didn’t mind receiving. The straightforward songs amble along, picking up working parts left behind years ago by Gin Blossoms, Wallflowers and even The Jayhawks all along the way. As Snowbirds unfolds, the simplistic-yet-effective melodies and guitar parts grapple with the depth provided by piano, organ and the ever-present lap steel. This calculated tug is highlighted on songs like “From The Start.”
But in the end, Snowbirds leaves me feeling like its the regional music equal of what Citizen Kane is to movies or The Grapes of Wrath is to books. I recognize it’s good, but – even through the undeniable quality – I can’t muster myself to remain interested.
 |
| Tonight, The City Skyline |
Tonight, The City Skyline – Nothing Will Be The Same
Last and least in this series of abbreviated reviews comes the release we were sent the most. If persistence equated to musical talent, I’d have better things to say about Milwaukee-based duo Tonight, The City Skyline, who sent their album to our higher-ups twice (that I’m aware). The pair of multi-instrumentalists is certainly talented, but it seems like something went amiss in the execution resulting in Tonight, The City Skyline.
The band’s bio claims the project “has worked to create a missing sound the Midwest has been aching for.” The seven-song Nothing Will be The Same claims differently with its unimaginative songs about heartbreak and lyrics like “I can’t take the blame/It’s killing me/I believe I have changed/All I had was you to blame/And all I had was you to change.” Not to pile on, but the vocals were flat, the music wasn’t particularly outside the box—not once making me “ache”—and the highlight of the entire 23-minute experience was the fewer than two-minute piano part that began the album.
Don’t just take my word as law for any of these releases. Check out all three of these bands at the links provided above and play critic on your own.
