Four players uprooted from New York, Texas and Minnesota found themselves within hollering distance of each other in the Bay Area awaiting this fateful formation. Driven by his desire to form a post-adolescent post-Owatonna project, guitarist-songwriter Ted Nesseth teamed up with his new roommate, ex-Texan Jeremy Gagon. Then came Genevieve Gagon from New York, sister to Jeremy, a founding spirit that convinced each of them to let old tunes and traditions pass. Last but not least came ex-Drunkhorse bassist J   [ read more ]

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The last great indie-rock violinist, The Dambuilders' Joan Wasser, was known for her dark, sawing ardor, but the States' Genevieve Gargon has a breezy, darting quality that deepens and brightens the hummable angst-purging of singer/guitarist Ted Nesseth. Full of romantic, lefty yearning, Nesseth recalls the sweaty conviction of another Ted (Leo). -Spin

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Black Comet is grainy, orchestral rock ranging from the classicism of Neil Young, Van Morrison and VU on tracks "Look and Listen" and "Pretty Life," to the fighting side of folk with title track "Black Comet," to the southern gothic of "Elastic Days" and even to lullabies and waltzes with tinges of Palestrina, Deep Purple and Bruce Springsteen. Sound impossible? It is - and they do it.

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There's nothing better to highlight a sunny summer afternoon than a healthy dose of upbeat pop/rock. The Heavenly States may not always maintain the bright exterior of the Beach Boys, but the group's jangly guitars and airy vocals nonetheless leave a cheery residue. The bouncy "The Story Of" kicks off The Heavenly States on a happy note, with a chorus that jubilantly harmonizes on a lyric that strangely sounds like, "Everybody's gonna die today." The melancholy "Beyond the Great Beyond" fl   [ read more ]

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