One Track Mind

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Once upon a time, twee was twee and rock was rock, and never the twain would meet. Enter Marc Cantone, with his battalion of talented musicians, who operate under the moniker The City and Horses. This offering from 2009′s I Don’t Want to Dream brings to mind everything from the underappreciated genius of Kicking Giant to the bedroom stylings of John Darnielle. Wherever the song may wander, Cantone makes sure to adorn it with embellishments befitting the brilliance of popsters like Big Star or Edwyn Collins.

Like a beating heart, the song’s core pulses through the layers of sound at the break as Cantone sings, “Who is city and who is horses? Who writes the words and who sings the choruses?” There are just so many things that Cantone wants to know. And he’d like you to accompany him on his journey by guesting on his next recording, especially if you play the washboard or the pennywhistle. (He actually asks for recruits on their MySpace page.)

Even if you don’t play the pennywhistle, check out the debut from Cantone and his band of merry minstrels, and stay tuned for their sophomore album, which is set to surface later this fall on Paper Garden Records.