You Heard it First: New Music Spotlight on…. WALRI

Artist: Walri
Releases: “Paper Crane” (album, 2006), Tinkle Sprinkle/Cotton Candy (single, 2009)
Website: www.walriloverock.com

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I think Scott McMicken (Guitarist and co-frontman of the tremendous Dr. Dog) said it best when describing Walri… “These guys are head scratchingly good”.

This is true on two levels: a) they really are; and b) it’s a total head scratcher as to why they are not a huge band, at least in the “indie” scene anyway.

I first came to know these guys about 4 years ago, while working as an editor for another website… At that time, they had sent me a copy of their phenomenal album “Paper Crane” to review.  Their mix of incredible musicianship and world class melodies completely blew me away.  I immediately promised to do a piece on them, but sadly never got an opportunity to. 

Fortunately, now I’ve got the chance to spread the word about them.

Out of Rochester, New York, Walri (Chris Coon – locks and keys, Dave Goebel – shirts and skins, Amos Rosenstein – strings and things, Geoff Saunders – trout and bass) is a band straight after my own heart, combining a 60s pop sensibility and knack for ornate production with a distinctively modern edge that could easily place them among the top bands in their genre.

I just can’t for the life of me understand why no one has discovered them and championed their cause. 

These guys have got to get signed and on the national scene… like YESTERDAY.

I can talk about them all day, but when it comes down to it, LISTENING is believing, so check out their latest single (streaming above) if you don’t believe me.  Released last November, this incredible offering really should be on every music lover’s playlist. 

The kick off track, “Tinkle Sprinkle”, sports florid Beach Boys harmonies (you’d swear it’s Brian Wilson himself on the choruses) and intricate instrumentation.  It’s immediately followed up by the gorgeous,  dreamy and Harry Nilsson-esque “Cotton Candy”, which will leave you breathless and pissed off that you’d never heard of them before. 

So, please, please, please check out their official website and Myspace and Facebook pages and show them the love they so richly deserve.  Get their CD, buy a t-shirt or check them out live if you’re in the area. 

A group of this caliber simply cannot be allowed to go unnoticed by the public at-large!!

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Since The Z Report has gone online, we’ve been flooded with emails from bands all over the world requesting us to review their material.  As former recording artists ourselves, we know how hard it is to get a any kind of foothold in the biz… and these days, it’s even harder than ever to get your voice heard!!  So we at the Z have decided to make it one our missions to support these artists and provide a venue for all the dreamers who, despite the great odds, decide to pick up an instrument and scream into the void. 

Please send your submissions to: zeitgeistyreport@hotmail.com