| From
Dayton, With Love.
Indeed. This is the appropriately titled latest release by noise popsters,
Morella's Forest. The band is from the indie rock hub of Dayton, OH and
they have much love for making music characterized by simple, sweet melodies
that are rounded out by equal parts noisy guitar lines, candy pop, and
new wave quirkiness. Alternative Press said, "Imagine them
as Velocity Girl, had that band been into a-Ha instead of Echo and the
Bunnymen." The
band is comprised of Sydney Rentz (vocals, lyrics), Shawn Johnson (guitars/keyboards),
Sean McCorkle (bass), and Nate McCorkle (drums). While the boys make
the sounds, Sydney is a killer vocalist who can deliver hushed playful
melodies, and get gutsy on the chorus. Morella's Forest is never
satisfied with where they have been, but rather look to continually
develop their songwriting skills. On 1996's Ultraphonic Hiss,
(produced by Keith Cleversey- Hum, Low, Flaming Lips) the songs were
pure pop drenched in syrupy melodies and tasty hooks. Things are different
on this go.
Cleversey
returns to sit behind the board on From Dayton, With Love, and
the band takes their songs to a new level with the addition of keyboards
(courtesy of ex-Brainiac boy John Schmersal), complimenting their trademark
crunchy power pop guitars, pounding drums, and fat bass lines. "Morella's
Forest has always been from the beginning, never do the same album twice
and always change and always bring a new element into the band every
record," says guitarist Shawn Johnson. Schmersal and his quirky
keyboard licks provide that "new element" on this record on
such stand out tracks as "Bounty Hunter", "Living On
Take Out", and "One Glorious Night." Johnson adds, "At
the end of 'Bounty Hunter', we both play; that is probably my favorite
part of the whole record. It comes back and sounds like the Cars. I
really like that part."
Morella's
Forest is building a strong fan base in and around Dayton, OH (as well
as doing shows all over the country) through touring. MoFo live has
to be seen to be believed. Some people are surprised at the energy and
sheer rock and roll power of a MoFo show. "It's like they are expecting
some sort of wimp rock because there is a chick in the band. We want
to rock and have a good time," explains Johnson. Morella's Forest
isn't looking back, only ready to take the pop world by storm with their
infectious melodies, noisy guitars, and rip roaring rhythm section.
And they are doing it with much love, of course. |