I Was Submerged

Tulsa took its name from a book of photographs by Larry Clark, whose pictures seem to be largely about a group of people who have a hard time maintaining their curiosity for life. And that's the intent of Tulsa's songs-staying hungry for life. I Was Submerged is the first Tulsa release to find its way into the physical world (i.e. not a digital release). As comforting and timeless as the songs are, they retain a melodic eeriness that could leave the listener feeling unsettled were they not so impeccably crafted. A dreamy concoction of reverberated vocals and sepulchral guitars layered upon fervent percussion and the defining touch: the asymmetrical tones of a Fender Rhodes, which cascade throughout the recordings. It's often the Neutral Milk Hotel or Neil Young tag that is pinned to Tulsa's sleeve, and they won't deny that. But there's actually much more that they try to accomplish. If there's a middle ground between the Carter Family and Can, Tulsa has discovered it.