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By the time I got to Loquat’s debut album, I was ready to call it a day.  I had the start of a migraine from listening all afternoon to bands that were trying to be original but were failing miserably.  After a few deep breaths, I decided to get this over with and stuck the CD in the player.  I couldn’t bring myself to look at the cover or lyrics because of the spots in front of my eyes.  I turned away from the stereo, closed my eyes and settled in for an hour-long ride through another unimaginative band’s journey. 

My expectations could not have been further from the truth.  The sultry, sexy purr of front woman Kylee Swenson immediately drew me from my music review funk with the first few notes of the album’s first track, “Harder Hit.”  She had me as surely as Jerry McGuire had his love interest at Hello. 

Swenson’s voice soars like Sarah McLachlan, but her lyrics cut like Cat Power.  Kylee captivates as she sings throughout all 11 tracks on this debut album.  The lyrics are clear and sharp filled with deep phrases that are superb for a singer who draws thick emotion into her vocals.  The first radio release is “Harder Hit,” which is blend of vocals and softly muted guitar work.  Lots of bands mix electronic and acoustic instruments, but few pull it off with the grace—or even the shimmering melodies—exhibited by this San Francisco group.

This album covers slow rock and fast tunes with the guitar backing up the vocals that are helped by vocalist and drummer Christopher Lautz.  His drums are more accompaniment than being spotlighted.  There are very few riffs by the guitars as they again are accompanying the vocals, not drowning them out.  Each song tells a story with a beginning, middle and end.  I was really satisfied with this music and know Loquat is going to be a group on the major radio stations throughout the country.

They are definitely worth the buy.

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