The Smiths, Pink Floyd, Talk Talk, Stereolab, Nick Drake, Cat Power, Wilco, Tortoise, Sufjan Stevens, Gram Parsons, Sigur Ros, Velvet Underground, Robyn Hitchcock, Tim/Jeff Buckley, My Bloody Valentine, Television, Sonic Youth, Sea and Cake, REM, Yo La Tengo, Slowdive, Belle and Sebastian, Magnetic Fields, Brian Eno, Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Liz Phair, Jim O'Rourke, Will Oldham, Low, Bjork, Ariel Pink, Daniel Johnston, TV on the Radio, The Rapture
Todd Carter, a New York City transplant (originally from Carmel, Indiana) blends his talents and divides his time as a singer, producer, composer, and Indie label owner. His roles, and how he interprets each of these roles, stem from a lifelong adventurous taste and experimentation in music ranging from Punk to Opera.
In an era of super-slick, highly-processed recordings, Carter’s latest effort, Cabinet of Curiosities, is a breath of fresh air composed of honest emotion, imagination, musical collaboration and first takes. Most tracks were written by Carter, but several were co-written with artists Tim Curtis-Verderosa, Andy Snyder, Adam Fuller, and Tony Graci. Each of them added his own harmonies, instrumental parts, and unique vibe to the album. And, with Cabinet of Curiosities, Carter once again surprises the listener. "This is definitely the first disc I have recorded that includes country tracks," states Carter. The lyrical clarity, melodies, and arrangement of these songs with pedal steel and piano clearly pay homage to traditional country music, something rarely heard in today's pop-country hits.
As frenetic as Cabinet of Curiosities may seem at first listen – the meshing of Eastern European sounds (Invitation), pop vibes (The World is Calling), and country influences (Burning Doves. Black-Eyed Jim) –works. And it works really well. In many ways, it is a culmination of Carter's past, including his punk rock past with Spaceship Beelzebub to his folk work with The Brothers Blessit.
There couldn't be a title more fitting for The Looking's new disc than Cabinet of Curiosities. The title applies not only to the unique arrangements of each track on the album, but also to front man Todd Carter’s personal journey through many styles of music. Looking back … and looking forward.
New Gravity will be at the Cameo Theater in Orlando tonight (12/19) with friends Blue Legs and Snack Daddy. 9PM till close. Three great bands for the price of one...$5 cover.
Thanks for being a friend. May you have a Happy, Healthy, Warm and Safe Holiday Season and the new year brings you success. May all the hungry get food and warmth. Global respectabillity for all of humanity and world peace. Always help those in need. Stay cool my friend! Respectfully, Buddy Lee Lewis
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