The Casting Couch - 5 Songs

The Casting Couch
5 Songs
I Eat Records
Grade: A-

This is easily the best local release of the year! This debut recording – actually is five songs – from Austin-based Wendy Mitchell and Lynn Boland is about as brilliant as bunch of folks just kicking it in the South could do. Merging wise, catchy indie rock with smits of alt-country, the Casting Couch have that something special that is nearly impossible to capture. In the meantime, the duo added John Hooker, Matt Strmiska and Julie Wood to round out a proper band. Led by Mitchell’s lazy day and at times creeky vocals and a simple, moderate tempo, the Casting Couch captures your imagination immediately on the opener “The Roof.” Surely, for me, the sweet combination of Mitchell’s vocals and imminent piano made me pay serious attention on “The Roof.” This is followed by the more country “Flying Machine,” where the duo takes their time getting the high point and title line. While things slip slightly on “Copper Girl,” the Couch follows it up with the simple and plaintive “Easy to Fall” with only piano and Mitchell’s vocals slightly reverbed. Things wrap up on “Whiskey Skiffle” with a tuba punctuated, thumping path in a cup of back porch country. Within such southern university haunts, like Chapel Hill, Athens and Austin, the Casting Couch are likely to become celebs. Mitchell and Boland are planning on a fall full-length release also on upstart Austin-based I Eat Records.