Tel Aviv

“About Hysteria” keeps the gloom with a swooping keyboard and lyrics that were ripped from punk and set to a Krautrock rhythm. This reviewer’s favorite track is the slow-burning eight minutes of “Vampire/DJ/Stripclub,” which shimmers and wanders like classic Sonic Youth of the Bad Moon Rising era. “Ill office” and “Securities” close the EP on an angrier note. Fernandez can wail and growl with the best of them. This reviewer will be interested to see what arises from these talented newcomers. If they can keep their melodies sounding as fresh as they are, yet reminiscent of the classic gods of punk and art-rock, Tel Aviv should be just beginning an illustrious career."
- Left Off the Dial - Left of the Dial

"This pretty little homemade EP comes courtesy of Tel Aviv, a promising young indie rock act out of Arkansas. They have a slick, modern style that wouldn't feel out of place in New York (think a less glossy Cloud Room), with hip basslines and very memorable melodies. "Sunburned LA" starts the disc off with a brooding sound and an infectious "we move from small towns to LA" vocal part.
"About Hysteria," the EP's strongest track, uses a dark keyboard part and a desperate vocal delivery to convey a wonderful sense of urgency to the listener. It's impressive how cohesive it sounds with just keyboard and no guitar. After the eight minute plus "Vampire/DJ/Stripclub," a moody, moving instrumental (inessential but entertaining), Tel Aviv finishes Lay Me Down off with Strokesy "Ill Office" and keyboard-intense "Securities." Based on this EP, I see Tel Aviv as a very solid act on the cusp of a recognized indie rock career. Whether they'll succeed in today's crowded music climate remains to be seen, but they do have the chops."
- Indieville.com - Indieville

"Tel Aviv may be the best Arkansas export since a President named William Jefferson Clinton left the state back in the ’90s, and that’s quite a compliment from a guy that digs #42. Keys and synthesizers take the lead in this three-piece, subsidized by a rhythm section that pushes the songs along with a palpable energy but without trying to dominate. The vocals hideout in a cavern, begging comparisons to Kurt Cobain and his ability to do just that before exploding through with a heroic urgency. But they’re much more affected and pro-active, more aggressive than aggravated. This is one of the better surprise sets I’ve seen at Nightlight in a bit, and that assessment, as well as their music, is much more honest than that other Arkansas export I mentioned."
- North Carolina Independent Weekly - North Carolina Independent Weekly

"the perfect keyboard playing indicates one of two things: either Fayetteville is blessed with brilliant keyboardists or Tel Aviv sold its souls to the devil for a recording session with Ray Manzarek. Regardless, Lay Me Down is all the better for the consistently captivating playing on all instruments. This short EP, just over 20 minutes, transcends several genres and passionately plants its individual successes in the listener's head. As a whole, Lay Me Down leaves a great taste for more and hints at a band that is equally exciting on stage as it is in the studio."
- Delusions of Adequacy - Delusions of Adequacy

"This fairly strong debut features slow, relaxed rhythms mixed with low-key vocals, background atmospherics and scratchy guitars. Their melodies are easy on the ears, and they keep things short. Although they sound as if they're not sure where to take their sound, they show a lot of potential nevertheless." - Punk Planet - Punk Planet

"The finished product will hopefully for justice to Tel Aviv’s wonderful live show, and will doubtless represent the band’s mix of noise, melody, electronic and acoustic sounds. And while influences as diverse as Deerhoof, Underworld, and Can might peak out, the sound will certainly be Tel Aviv’s own." - Localist Magazine - Localist Magazine

"Tel Aviv - Underwaters: These guys play darkly pop in a way that well defies comparison. This record actually isn't out yet, but we got an unmastered copy back around June sometime. While we were touring this summer we listened to it constantly, and it is seriously the best record that I got last year. If there is such a thing as musical justice this band will be huge. I think it comes out in January on Max Recordings."
- www.scenestars.net