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For a band that’s only been together since 2014 and an acoustic-based trio, Denver’s Edison has a big, full, lush – near orchestral – sound.  One listen to their debut album, Familiar Spirit, and you can hear layered harmonies and diverse instrumentation. The band is fronted by singer Sarah Slaton, along with multi-instrumentalist Dustin Morris and Grammy-nominated guitarist Maxwell Hughes (formerly of The Lumineers). In the short time of their existence, they’ve toured with such known acts as Iron & Wine, Martin Sexton and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats, so you know they’re onto something.

There are a lot of dramatic flourishes in the band’s sound, starting with the opening track, “The Good Fight”, which goes from ethereal vocals floating underneath harmonies, acoustic instruments, which then turns to a stripped down vocal interplay and explodes into a danceable track – three different movements that sway back and forth.  “San Jose” is, indeed, cinematic and powerful, with interesting punches of what sounds like muted trumpet and multi-tracked vocals and a boisterous chorus; “Civil War”, again, is another track filled with dramatic vocals and a nice interplay between guitar and a fuzzed mandolin and “New York” has a “soundtrack” feel – something  you can imagine hearing on television or in a movie.

It’s a nice sound; melodic and embracing.  Good vocals and clean, sparse playing – knowing where to leave the spaces is the hardest thing about songwriting and here, Edison, succeeds.  A very encouraging first release – one wonders what they may do next.

RECOMMENDED

Familiar Spirit is available now

http://www.listentoedison.com/

About the Author

Rob Ross

Rob Ross has been, for good, bad or indifferent, involved in the music industry for over 30 years - first as guitarist/singer/songwriter with The Punch Line, then as freelance journalist, producer and manager to working for independent and major record labels. He resides in Staten Island, New York with his wife and cats; he works out a lot, reads voraciously, loves Big Star and his orange Gretsch. Doesn't that make him neat?

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