June 29, 2007 | Posted by David B. at 9:55 AM

Sometimes we wrap it up in silence

alina simone

The "name the influence" game, whether or not it turns out to be accurate, is way too tempting to play. It's just plain lazy to say a band sounds like "XTC and Journey carpooling to a Clap Your Hands Say Yeah show," but sometimes it's the most succinct way to sum up a band's sound. Reductive yes, but also succinct.

When I first listened to Alina Simone's record Placelessness, many names starting coming to mind: PJ Harvey, Sleater-Kinney, Chan Marshall, Patti Smith. The influences seem obvious, and why not? Who wouldn't want to sound like those artists?

Alina Simone - Saw Edged Grass.

That isn't to say Alina doesn't have her own thing going on here. I think "Saw Edged Grass" is a good, original track, sort of a ballad in a rock song's clothing. She's originally from the Ukraine, grew up in Massachusetts (represent!), and is now based in New York City. Placelessness comes out on Aug. 21, so keep tabs on her MySpace page and label website.

Comments

Another way-point on her path: Austin, Texas. (So says her MySpace page.)

I like the sound. Wish I could go out and hear her play somewhere this week. Well, she's got a New York show in late August...

Posted by: John Branch at July 10, 2007 2:22 PM
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