me first
‘Take the basics of a rock song, then strip it down and slow it down. Throw in lap steel for an old-time feel, and synthetic drum beats to give it cutting edge. The resulting juxtaposition will be nothing short of warm and comfortable, as well as excitingly new and singular – and bound to be overdone by other musicians who pick up on this sound. What else can you expect when Rilo Kiley’s Blake Sennett and Dntel/The Postal Service’s Jimmy Tamborello work together?
Sennett carries the weight of the entire Saddle Creek scene on his shoulders as he explores different songwriting options for this side project. Numerous comparisons to many representative Omaha musicians are inevitable. Tamborello, on the other hand, is not as concerned with diversifying. He has a reputation to uphold as he tries to fortify his position as one of the top and hardest-working indie producers/contributors this side of Chris Walla. The Sub Pop influences on this album are undeniable as well. While the most prevalent comparisons are between Sennett and a young Elliott Smith, the majority of this album is a cross between Samuel Beam’s Iron & Wine and The Postal Service – of course.
Over a decade after their initial grunge boom, Sub Pop has proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that the label’s ear for talent, albeit mainly from side projects, will keep them towards the top of the best independent record labels.
Expect the following adjectives to be overused over the course of the year in regards to all parties involved, but mainly Tamborello: inventive, ingenious, remarkable, accomplished and/or masterful. This will not be the last time you hear from any of these people this year. Expect many of their names to be written across the best upcoming projects of 2004. There’s too much of a spark, too much latent ability lingering in the tracks of “Me First” to let it go to waste. I guarantee it won’t.
To sum up, the album is a little Omaha indie-folk, a little Seattle indie-pop and a little New York club.
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