Scavengers

CALLA are from Texas and moved to NYC a few years ago. The music is slow and slinky, with deep bass and lots of space and atmosphere. The grooves have a swampy, narcotized-Cajun feel, with hollow-body-twang guitar that snakes and erupts through the mix with signature lines -- Morricone-like sometimes, but more authentically American -- very bluesy, dramatic, and spacious. They use some electronic textures and grooves, too, very tastefully and not gimmicky, just enough to convey a sense of dimension and filmic atmosphere. The vocals are softly intoned and tender, but right up front in the mix.

"The songs convey a sense of heartbreak and vulnerability, with just enough abstract remove to avoid mawkishness. The tone of the album is very purely conveyed though, without irony. The sense of ache I get from their music reminds me of Low, but they get at this sensation through entirely different means and don't sound anything like them."