ebotts

I think you have a good concept, but you seem to draw too much from the repetitive nature of pop, rather than it's catchyness. A lot of this reminds me of the Postal Service (starts off promising, then gets a bit boring), especially "I Hate It here".

I think you would do well to try some stripped down accoustic music (no drum machines, no synthesizers, no over-dubbed vocals). It may not be what you want to do, ultimately, but it helps develop song-writing skills.

The biggest issue I have is that none of these songs grab me and make my ears perk up. I don't know all your influences, but you should try listening to some stuff that contrasts your music, like some Violent Femmes, or some old folk, like Ledbelly or Charlie Patton.

"Best. Winter. Ever." has a nice little tune, when the fiddle (at least that's what I think it is) comes in. "30th Street" has an entertaining chorus, but I was, mostly, underwhelmed.

I don't want to seem like some uneducated, idiot critic. My music is lacking in a lot of the areas I just criticized, so feel free to pick my music apart at www.myspace.com/thegrainythroat