Homespun: Helium Tapes, Ghost Wave

In this week's paper, Christian Schaeffer reviews the Helium Tapes' second CD, Ghost Wave. He has this to say:

Singer and guitarist Sunyatta Marshall throws down the gauntlet every chance she gets -- and although her vocals on the previous record were always sufficient but often indistinct, there's no missing her here. On the opening track "Falling Behind," Marshall rises above the rumbling drums, loping bass line and snaking guitar notes. There's never a lot of menace in her voice, but when coupled with the ominous instrumentation, it sound like she's staring daggers at you through the speakers. It's a spooky, beguiling introduction to an album that uses power-pop smarts to ensnare listeners with songs about burgeoning desires, potent kiss-offs and soaring reveries.

Read the rest here. The band's CD release party is this Saturday night at Off Broadway. Karate Bikini and Bulletpop! are also on the bill.

MP3: The Helium Tapes, "Give You Chase"