Ghosts Of Tables And Chairs

Dark, brooding pop perfection from members of various San Francisco Bay area veteran bands. Malka Geffen of the East Bay Express says they're "... 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." Adds Kimberly Chun of the San Francisco Bay Guardian, "Citizens Here and Abroad apply a Velvets-like drone to breathy, propulsive pop with enough confidence to win over all aliens, outsiders, and noncitizens."