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"There are a modest four citizens in Citizens Here and Abroad: Chris Groves and Chris Wetherell from indie sensation Dealership, and Dan Lowrie and Adrienne Robillard formerly of Secadora. They took their pledges of citizenship sometime after meeting at a 1998 Secadora gig, where Chris G. became disgusted at Dan and Adrienne's zealous patronage of the dive bar's coin-operated mixed-nuts dispenser. The result doesn't sound like a combination of its parent bands. They're less heavy than the Secadora but darker than Dealership, pulling together influences from the Fall, Stereolab, Sonic Youth, and scores of others, yet sounding like none of them. Besides playing bass, Chris G. sings and works a tiny 1982 Casio keyboard, often in tandem with a 1970's Fresno Unified School District xylophone. Adrienne, who also sings, toggles between standard and baritone guitars. Dan's guitar effects are layered, and Chris W. balances steady drums with atmospheric percussion to fill out the sound." - Malka Geffen, East Bay Express “On their second EP, Bay Area’s The Ebb and Flow encompass many different styles in a short space and in the process they make it seem effortless. Formed a little over a year and a half ago, they have quickly become a band with its identity in place with a complex sound that is surprisingly palatable. With buoyant rhythms provided by drummer Sara Cassetti and vocals traded between keyboardist Roshy Kheshti and guitarist Sam Tsitrin (sounding eerily like My Dad is Dead’s Mark Edwards), what they create is simultaneously danceable and avante garde. Add trumpeter Jeff Jacobs and ex-Tom Waits saxophonist Ralph Carney and the sonic template gets a little jazzy and a whole lot more interesting. The Ebb and Flow has forged its own path, balancing drones and grooves, jazz and pop, and it fits them beautifully. —Mike Alexis, Bay Area Buzz playinginfog.com |
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