Artist Review: Andy Fitts, Smoky Wilds
Artist: Andy Fitts
Album: Smoky Wilds
Genre: Folk Rock
RIYL: David Bazan, Ben Gibbard, Damien Jurado, Spoon
These days, the Seattle music scene appears to be witnessing the resurgence of the folk artist in all its forms. Never is this more obvious and present than with Andy Fitts, a modern-day contemporary of local heroes David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) and Ben Gibbard. But Andy Fitts has a unique sound that sets him apart - a sort of introspective electronic folk rock that bears a resemblance to those artists, but moves into more mystical territory.
“Start Cutting” opens the album and sets a decidedly distinct tone from the start; Fitts’ vocals showing a fluidity and tone that’s not only pleasing, but impressively cutting through the lo-fi quality of the recording itself. “Easier Said” is another interesting track that bears a more weighty vocal and instrument arrangement, and definitely stands out as one of the stronger tunes.
“Testing the Temper” is one of the most easily accessible songs on the record - hooking someone into Andy Fitts’ style of music, this would be my first play of choice. The casio-style intro steadily fleshes out with a sort of cool, funky build that just feels right. It was conjuring the most random images in my head, making it feel born to grace some indie filmmaker’s soundtrack. In the same way, “Roll My Chair” feels familiar but injects a dose of staccato style that breathes an urgency into the latter stages of the record. The otherworldly “Yarn Tale” closes the record, imparting an ethereal calm and dreamy vocal that feels more than appropriate winding down to the last notes.
Andy Fitts makes music that is pensive and often dreamy in delivery. It’s like moving through someone’s dream state, a lo-fi lullaby that sways and moves with ease. With Smoky Wilds, Andy Fitts gives a nod to his Seattle folk predecessors but begins to forge a new path all his own.
Andy Fitts website: http://andyfitts.tumblr.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_andy_fitts_smoky_wilds)
Album: Smoky Wilds
Genre: Folk Rock
RIYL: David Bazan, Ben Gibbard, Damien Jurado, Spoon
These days, the Seattle music scene appears to be witnessing the resurgence of the folk artist in all its forms. Never is this more obvious and present than with Andy Fitts, a modern-day contemporary of local heroes David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) and Ben Gibbard. But Andy Fitts has a unique sound that sets him apart - a sort of introspective electronic folk rock that bears a resemblance to those artists, but moves into more mystical territory.
“Start Cutting” opens the album and sets a decidedly distinct tone from the start; Fitts’ vocals showing a fluidity and tone that’s not only pleasing, but impressively cutting through the lo-fi quality of the recording itself. “Easier Said” is another interesting track that bears a more weighty vocal and instrument arrangement, and definitely stands out as one of the stronger tunes.
“Testing the Temper” is one of the most easily accessible songs on the record - hooking someone into Andy Fitts’ style of music, this would be my first play of choice. The casio-style intro steadily fleshes out with a sort of cool, funky build that just feels right. It was conjuring the most random images in my head, making it feel born to grace some indie filmmaker’s soundtrack. In the same way, “Roll My Chair” feels familiar but injects a dose of staccato style that breathes an urgency into the latter stages of the record. The otherworldly “Yarn Tale” closes the record, imparting an ethereal calm and dreamy vocal that feels more than appropriate winding down to the last notes.
Andy Fitts makes music that is pensive and often dreamy in delivery. It’s like moving through someone’s dream state, a lo-fi lullaby that sways and moves with ease. With Smoky Wilds, Andy Fitts gives a nod to his Seattle folk predecessors but begins to forge a new path all his own.
Andy Fitts website: http://andyfitts.tumblr.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_andy_fitts_smoky_wilds)
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