Artist: Kyle Andrews
Album: Real Blasty

I didn’t really find Kyle Andrews; Kyle Andrews found me.  Rather, he was featured on the Paste Magazine sampler that was sent to my house last month.  His featured track was the first one that caught my attention.  Based on that song, I purchased his album (on emusic.com) and have been listening to it quite profusely over the last two weeks.

According to his facebook page, Andrews is influenced by bands like Death Cab for Cutie (and subsequently the Postal Service), Wilco, and the Beatles.  It doesn’t take long to hear the convergence of these artists in his music.  But, unlike some artists who directly copy their sound to reflect that of their influences, Andrews does a nice job of limiting their influence enough to still create an original enough album to deem it worthy of purchase.  It’s good stuff.

STANDOUT TRACKS:
1. Sushi: a nice piano sample + a drum beat featuring a clap + solid vocals = success. (listen)
4. Call and Fade: if the snare sound from many Beatles’ songs, Pete Yorn’s vocal tendencies, a beautiful symphonic violin ensemble, and a catchy chorus had a child, it’d look like this song. (listen)
11. Cut and Paste: a nice 6/8 beat and the use of another clap.  I’m a sucker for a well-placed clap in a song.  (listen)

My recommendation: go to Noisetrade.com and pay what you want for his live album (or put 5 email addresses of friends in the widget to get it free).  If you like the live EP, purchase this album.  It’s one of my favorites from 2009 thus far.