Why Make Clocks

When the downbeat drums and lonely guitar twang come in as a forbearer for the opening lyric, "Starting off with a slowdance / The room sways with rented lights," those cynics listening to the debut record from Why Make Clocks may instinctively open their rock- cliche' bible to the alt-country section (...and Uncle Tupelo begat Wilco who begat...) and start flinging around unnecessary Palace references. Granted, the thoughtful vocals of Dan Hutchison may evoke visions of Will Oldham cooing with an early Michael Stipe, but it's the crisp energy of the music that makes WMC stand out from the pigeonholing. Rotating smoothly between mid-tempo pop songs and slower tracks brimming with a mellow forcefullness, WMC breathes life into the compositions by accentuating their arrangements. Through the tutelage of wonder producer A. J. Mogis (Lullaby for the Working Class, Bright Eyes), they continuously evoke a subtly building passion. "Spotlight," for example, spirals in a slowly controlled fashion for more than 10 minutes, using emotive guitar bursts as a cover for the intricate piano and organ work pushing the tune just above the surface. This musicality sets WMC apart by constantly pushing forward with powerfully flowing melodies that emphasize their moody lyrics. Combined, you have tunes in a class with a new breed of outstanding alt-countriers, even if they're of a different school >> Robbie Chaplick - CMJ

Because, after all, they'll only remind you how fast time is slipping by. That your opportunity to pay penance is running low. That you didn't make the best of time while you had it. DAN HUTCHISON and his gang of four convey these thoughts in delicate terms, making you wonder, but not cry as hard, in the way an antisocial Neil Young would. With a hand in production from A.J. Mogis of LULLABYE FOR THE WORKING CLASS, "Fifteen Feet's" 10 savory, mostly acoustic morsels melt in your ear like warm chocolate. The aftertaste, though, is bittersweet, with arched maneuvers recalling the same heroic tragedy as Mountain Goats. There is a pipeline running from Hutchison's heart onto this record, and that's about as honest as music can get.


- the BIG TAKEOVER

Why Make Clocks - Midwestern Film (CD, Barely Bias, Soft pop) A lot of folks will probably be lumping the folks in Why Make Clocks into that all-too-familiar Americana category. To categorize this band as such would be too limiting, as their music is pure melodic soft pop. What impresses us most about the tunes on Midwestern Film is the fact that they are extraordinarily unpretentious. In a world where so much music is made to impress people or to freak them out with creativity, the bands and artists who impress us the most are those who aren't trying to impress anyone. These soft, mid-tempo pop tunes are played straight from the heart...without unnecessary overdubs...and without the dreaded overkill that is present in so many artists' recordings. The band consists of Dan Hutchison, Brian Wiksell, Boonie, Eric Kennedy, and Philip Sterk. This album features pure, good tunes that are certain to stand the test of time. Impressive tracks include "The Tape Hiss Told Me This" (great title there), "Who's Laughing Now" (a particularly effective track), "All Your Smiles," and "The Finalist." - www.babysue.com