candle

Miles and Miles and Miles borrows from the territory trod by K Records: easy-going lo-fi momentums, over- punctuated vocals and a rich blend of off-kilter instruments working through a traditional pop verse-chorus framework. It's an inspired album; adventurous and liberal in its exploration of folk and country roots. It's a wonder Portland's folk hero producer Adam Selzer isn't involved.

There are too many instruments to list, but some standouts are the plucky banjos, brushy drums, languid cello and violins, and a shy, understated trumpet. In the bouncy, up-tempo song "Pretty Please," the San Luis Obispo five-piece features the "Like a Rollin' Stone" Dylan-influenced surging Wurlitzer organ which fills the background like a wildfire of vibrant, smoldering notes.

Singer Kevin Coons has an earnest voice. Often backed by a Southern-fried female and a hollering male, Coons' vocals cut through the instrumental texturing like a faint recall to Pavement-era Malkmus. Lyrics touch on traditional Americana folk themes: rambling across the country, love and loss. In the slow-tempo, soulful burner "Hotel Eyes," a willful Coons sings, "So I met a girl / With hotel eyes / said you can't call me home / but you can stay for the night / And I turned in my keys / With bags at my side / I left her at this / I'll see you sometime."

Candle's listenability may be attributed to its familiarity — a listener of K or Bar/None Records should feel at home with the band's understated alt-country release, and a folk fan needn't worry about long stretches of inconsistent, meandering nonsense. Miles and Miles and Miles is tight, even considering the bulky textures and melodic tinkering. It's an album fierce on maintaining interest and not overstaying its welcome. (Real Love Records) - West Coast Performer Magazine

Songwriter Kevin Coons, who fronts indie folk band Candle, has penned a spectacular collection of songs for Candle's second full-length CD, Miles and Miles and Miles. He's clearly soaked up and wholly assimilated the alt-country indie-folk milieu made famous by the likes of Whiskytown, Wilco, and their musical fathers Neil Young and Bob Dylan.

What began as Coons' solo experiment in 2005 has developed into a well-formed quintet of players working as an ensemble to create the kind of subtly lush orchestration that marks the best of the modern folk genre. This new album, recorded at Paul Frankel's Real Love Studio at Sculpterra Winery in Paso Robles, features Coons (voice, guitar, harmonica, banjo, keyboards, organ, and percussion), Ross Major (guitar, mandolin, piano, banjo, lap steel, organ, voice), Jon Wilson (bass, lap steel, guitar, percussion, voice), Rachel Spotten (voice and keyboard), and Frankel (drums and percussion) working with an impressive list of guest stars (playing fiddle, kapiano, trumpet, cello) as well as a chorus of voices.

Clearly a ton of work was poured into this album, and it paid off with a startlingly solid recording that displays production and musicianship that's worthy of Coons' frequently brilliant and always heartfelt lyricism: "You're a beautiful girl with the wind in your hair/ and the tears in your eyes and the weight of the air/ when you're looking for something or someone to lift up your head// When I'm right at your door with my hands in my pockets/ in a suit that I stole from my father's closet/ patiently pacing until you say 'come in.'"

Don't miss Candle's album release party on Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at Downtown Brew. Opening acts include Threes and Nines, Almost There, and Cottleston Pie. This all-ages show costs $7 at the door. - New Times SLO

This album seemed the perfect choice for my first contribution here. Not strictly 'new', it was released at the beginning of March, but since it's become a staple of my 2008 listening charts so far, it seemed fitting to try to extend it to further audiences.

The first time I properly listened to this album I was riding hundreds of miles across Europe, and ever since I have seen it somewhat as 'travelling music'. Even when you're not going anywhere, putting this CD on makes you feel like you're on a journey. The lilting tones of opener 'Pennies In A Well' merge beautifully into the rawer sounds of 'Let Me Love You', both songs being a perfect showcase to begin the album with - rich with singer Kevin Coon's heart-warming vocals, smooth lyrics and the beautifully balanced arrangement of acoustic guitars, harmonica and strings, these songs set a high standard for the rest of the album to follow - but follow it does.

A song that has stood out to me with every listen is 'Hotel Eyes'. Nearly rivalling even Conor Oberst's story-telling abilities, this is a sorrowful narrative of a girl like a hotel. Just reaching the six-minute mark and displaying a non-invasive and well-placed infusion of horns sometimes reminiscent of those used by Neutral Milk Hotel, 'Hotel Eyes' gives Miles and Miles and Miles another dimension.
Yet another example of acoustic folk song writing at its best, 'Say Goodnight' begins to wind down the album with a sweet-toned set of lyrics and a chorus enriched with the effortless voice of band member Rachel Spotten.

With fiddles, trumpets, banjos, pianos, mandolins, cellos and harmonicas all in place, there is no denying that Candle's most recent release is as diverse as song writing of this nature can be, and the result has been a flawless blend of calming melodies, unforced lyrics and lush orchestration. Also noteworthy is the fact that, although throughout the album the lyrical and melodic themes could often be classed as 'melancholy', the album is at no point depressing or over-emotional. Candle really have managed a perfect balance in this album and it is to their endless credit.

Since the album isn't widely available on the internet, the best way to get hold of this CD is probably - shock horror! - to buy it. Direct from the band's Myspace page you can be a proud owner of the CD for somewhere around £6 including postage, and they'll even post it out to you with a lovely little note and a nice drawing on the back of the parcel, though I never managed to work out what it is.
Get to it! Once these lovely noises have filled your ears you will never regret it.
- the Four Oh Five

Formed by singer/songwriter Kevin Coons in 2005, California alt. country band Candle has since grown into a quintet and has released a full-length album (2006's Birds Were Meant To Fly) and a 7" split entitled Come Back Home with labelmate Iamb. With their second full-length entitled Miles And Miles And Miles scheduled to be released on March 22nd, the band further harnesses their indie/folk appeal. Coons' supporting cast consists of a talented group of multi-instrumentalists, and the new album's landscape of sound is painted with a variety of brushes. With country-tinged female and male backing harmonies, fiddles, mandolin, trumpet, banjo, piano, and harmonica effortlessly intertwining to form a full yet loose sound, fans of alt. country will find a lot to love in Candle's music. On the slow-burning "Santa Cruz," lines like "There's miles and miles and miles and miles of highway/ stretched out between my house and yours" seem reminiscent of classic Whiskeytown, and fans of folksy indie fare will not be disappointed by Candle's seemingly effortless songwriting. You can reserve your copy of Miles And Miles And Miles at Real Love Records - Captain Obvious

There are certain albums that I listen to over and over, but for some reason I don't mention on HearYa. Miles and Miles and Miles by San Luis Obispo band, Candle, are such a band. I find myself playing the album at work, while cleaning around the house, and often while relaxing with a cold one at the end of the day. Adjectives don't jump into my mind as I listen, but it's loose alt-country sound always greets me with a smile.

Miles and Miles and Miles isn't an album that gives you that "Oh shit!" moment. There isn't a standout track, but they put together a solid collection of tunes that serve as a nice soundtrack for a summer evening. If you read my review of The Sugar Oaks' Red Grapes in the City, then you can almost swap out the band and album names. It's perfect for lazy afternoons, ice cold drinks, hot days, warm sun rays on your face, burying your toes in the sand, and for easing your mind.

You'll rarely find them in a Google search because they aren't waxy enough, but click on the links below for tour dates. They are all over the place. - HearYa Music Blog

Local CD Pick of the week: CANDLE — 'MILES AND MILES AND MILES'

It's fitting that the track "Eighth and Pine" starts out with the narrator waiting for a train. Because most of the songs on this somber, sleepy CD seem appropriate for a long journey on Amtrak's Southwest Chief, traversing forgotten towns, barren plains and lonesome desserts. The lyrics match, with songs of longing, parting ways and regret. The CD could use a couple of peppy tunes for balance. (This train trip can't be all mopey.) But the folk rockers keep it real with a combination of roots, country and indie rock. Already a musically talented band, the 5-piece is joined by guests offering violin, trumpet and cello. - the Ticket (telegram tribune SLO)