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A new kind of pop band? Well, perhaps. The Secret Ink is a band that looks different at first glance. At what point did they decide to put a violin through a Marshall amplifier? How do they get a cello loud enough to rise above a drum kit? Does a guitar usually make that kind of sound? Do classically trained musicians get references to Galaxie 500 and the Sundays? Do Indie-popsters know what a rallentando is?

The Secret Ink has performed in such disparate venues as smoky rock clubs, theatres, art museums, and symphony orchestra halls. The band completed their first full-lenght album with producer Nick Lloyd (the National, Clogs) at Firehouse 12 in 2006. Since that time they have written and recorded almost 30 instrumental pieces some of which to be released in 2009.

The full-lenght record is availabe at this time through Darla Records at www.darla.com or available in the iTunes Music Stores. ..

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The Secret Ink are like Prague, a city with unavoidably beautiful historic elements but a happening town with trendy cafes and creative young people. The self-titled debut from this New Haven, Connecticut quintet seamlessly blends harmonizing super-pop songs along the lines of Belle and Sebastian with string compositions that could easily serve as a classical soundtrack for a stroll through Prague's old city.

My favorite part of this record is the 18-second "Introduction," a string piece that is the musical equivalent of watching autumn leaves drift to the ground. It leads directly into "Neverafter," with Jennifer Morgan's dreamy voice floating over a calm, acoustic beat, guiding us into a catchy chorus that utilizes a perfect contrast of sweet vocals over dramatic strings. Another noteworthy track is "Boston Winter Snow," in which Doug Slawin and Morgan take turns singing about the unexpected paths of life from different perspectives, recalling Lennon and McCartney's "She's Leaving Home." The Secret Ink practice in the oldest printing factory in the United States and make much of this fact by posting photos of their beloved rehearsal space on their website. Their quirks are endearing. Their music is impressive. 8

-Dina Zwiebel, Venus Magazine, Fall 2006

The Secret Ink's self-titled, self-released debut is heavy on the strings; it uses violin, cello, and e-bow to deepen a set of insinuating indie-rock songs. The effect is most striking on "Boomerang," which sounds like a sassy pop hit converted to chamber music, and "Neverafter," a pretty ballad that turns a little sinister, just to let listeners know that the band can go there if it needs to.

-Noel Murray, The Onion A.V. Club, September 26, 2006

It's not often you find grace in indie rock-for the most part, the slipshod musicianship and impromtu esthetic don't allow for a lot of coordination. But you do sometimes find charm, and when that charm is in cahoots with said grace, there's something truly special going on. the Secret Ink, a New Haven outfit that play twee-tinged jangle pop that is buffered by the addition of cello and violin, has a unique sound, to say the least. On their new Rough Trade disc, they adroitly shift gears, offering Beat Happening rave ups one moment and Satie dreamscapes the next. They can be a great minor pleasure.

- Jim Macnie September 8th, 2006, Providence Phoenix