Album Review: Kelley Stoltz

Artist: Kelley Stoltz
Album: Below the Branches
Release Date: February 7, 2006
Label: Sub Pop
Previous Releases: The Past Was Faster, Antique Glow, The Sun Comes Through EP
Home: San Francisco
Local live appearances: The Echo 2/18/06 @ 7:00PM w/ the Drones [$8]

You've got to be in the right mood for this one but it's definitely interesting enough to recommend. Listen to the two free downloads. They're two of the standout tracks so if you don't like them you probably won't like the rest of the album. It's skewed pop music with a 70's feel (some psych and folk elements). Almost every song is about relationships and uses a lot of nature imagery in the lyrics. I don't have copies of the lyrics, so excuse me if I misquote. 13 mostly melancholy songs in under 40 minutes.

1. Wave Goodbye - "Find a thing that makes you happy" and move on. Good piano driven song with some boogie to it.
2. Little Lords - A slower melancholy acoustic guitar driven track. "When will the sunshine pass this way again?"
3. Ever Thought of Coming Back - Jesus Christ if you ever thought of coming back now is the time. Upbeat with high harmonies and a solid bass line.
4. Words - Slow melancholy song with nice production. "To love you is the highest high."
5. Mystery - Very slow song. "I'm free for you now."
6. Summer's Easy Feeling - Another slow one. "I just touch my heart and find you there."
7. Memory Collector - Another more upbeat piano song. Nice childhood memories. Standout track (Sub Pop wisely chose it as a free download).
8. Birdies Singing - Another strong track. Birds chirping in the background, la-las and a lighter vibe.
9. The Rabbit Hugged the Hound - Sounds a little like an upbeat Smog song. You've gotta get out there and take some chances to really live/love.
10. The Sun Comes Through - Another standout track. The sun comes through the window and it's alright. Watch out for that fake fadeout towards the end because there's 90 seconds left.
11. Winter Girl - Mid-tempo. Is that a snowflake or a tear on your cheek?
12. Prank Calls - Prank calls coming from "some old lover who ain't getting none." Our love's cheaper than the price of gasoline. Piano driven.
13. No World like the World - "Sometimes your life seems too long." A downer to end the record.