This sound can't be ignored: Setting Sun, Children of the Wild

This week’s reviews mark several firsts. One of which is that I’m reviewing two CDs long before their release date. I feel a bit more professional now. The other is that this is the first time I’ve reviewed music by friends, which I find to be a difficult position to be in since objectivity gets outright flushed into septic oblivion. However, I feel strongly that reviews are always subjective due to the biases of the individual writing the review, so, without further ado, let’s get this whirly-gig flying.

I’m trying to remember when I first met Erica Quitzow and Gary Levitt. I was most likely introduced to them by Kevin (see Swing The Heartache) somewhere in the wild, late night, open mike, pub scene of New Paltz, NY. In any event, I’m glad that I did indeed meet and become friends with these two fine musicians. They contribute to each other’s music projects in integral roles; I remember noting at certain live shows that the only differences in line-up between Setting Sun (Levitt’s project) and Quitzow (take a guess) was what position each performer was in and who was singing. Both Setting Sun’s and Quitzow’s releases for this year (Children of the Wild and Art College, respectively) are released on Young Love Records, Gary and Erica’s labor of love, and apparently devoted to music that is fun and loving (tagline to the website: “Home of the Love”).

Up first this week is Setting Sun’s Children of the Wild. I’ve been hearing “Overjoyed” and “Happy Joy” since I first saw Setting Sun play several years ago, so it’s nice to see them on this album. I’m sure I’ve heard some of these songs before at various places in and around New Paltz, but those two are the first that come to mind.

To me, Children of the Wild is a sunny afternoon or drive in the country album. The predominantly-acoustic folk/pop with occasional synths doesn’t really lend itself to the dimly lit bars that I typically see Gary and Erica and company performing in; this music is for socializing, dinner parties, good friends and good times. It is, for the most part, a fun and joyful album, upbeat without being annoyingly sweet like so much cookie-cutter indie pop that hits the shelves these days. Comparisons be damned; Setting Sun stands on its own feet.

The instrumentation on this album is what I like the most. It isn’t wildly different or trying too hard to escape definition, but at the same time, it’s a character all it’s own. When the cello and violin start, and those occasional synths kick in, the party really gets started; that’s the experimental aspect to Children of the Wild and what prevents it from being casually pigeonholed as an indie folk/rock album. My favorite tracks are “No Devil Me No More” (probably the darkest song on the album, more foreboding if anything), “How Long,” the delightfully spacey “Not Waste,” and the afore-mentioned “Overjoyed” and “Happy Joy.” “Inside My Love” is a bit of a heartbreaker in its simple beauty. Children of the Wild is a varied album; there’s a little something for everyone.

The album art is beautiful. Billy Keddy’s vaguely Suessian cover painting, with the two people holding hands under a big orange sun walking to a wobbly city, is a fantastic expression of the emotional state conveyed in the songs. Love, uncertainty, an expansive world to get lost in… it’s an accurate representation of everything this album is about.

If there is a single complaint to be made, it’s the run time of 37:03. The music is just so comfortable that you want to stay there all afternoon, and when it ends, you can’t help but start it over again. And again. And again. Expect Children of the Wild to spend a lot of time in your CD player. It’s infectious in it’s fun.

The official release date for both Children of the Wild and Quitzow’s Art College is June 10^th, so mark your calendars. I don’t know what they’re doing for distribution on these two albums, but I know that you can get them direct from the artists and, if they stay true to tradition, most likely at live shows. I cannot recommend the live performances of Setting Sun and Quitzow enough; aside from the fact that they are really talented, they are friendly people that I am glad are part of my life. They have a tour planned for this summer, so look at their sites and see if they are going to be near you. It will be worth stopping in for a show. If you're not ordering it right now, then pick up Children of the Wild when you hit up the concert.



Get thee to Setting Sun’s website and myspace!
Also, Young Love Records website and myspace

On deck for Thursday: Quitzow, Art College