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'RIFT MAGAZINE's REVIEW of 'ASTERISK' - Gawker Slowdown is Eric Kalenze's home-recording project. The former Third Wheel member wrote, performed and recorded all the songs on his new CD, 'Asterisk,' a compilation of praiseworthy tracks with smooth harmonies and fluid music that complement each other like hot fudge and ice cream, rich and delicious. Kalenze's influences intersect on 'Asterisk' to create a sweet--daresay, almost fresh--sound. The first track, 'Asterisk Pt 1' is jazzy with an underlying retro groove. 'Even the Strongest Steel' is reminiscent of the Jayhawks. And Kalenze draws on Bob Dylan's storytelling quality in 'Behind the Glass.' A twangy blend of country and pop, 'Red-Haired Girl' is a charming tale of butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling of love. The most notable, and beautiful, track is 'Kiss In Black & White.' The combination of acoustic guitar and keyboard feels dreamy and nostalgic, and when Kalenze sings, 'I'll be Monty Clift/You can be Liz Taylor and tell me everything's all right,' it's evocative of old Hollywood glamour. The CD's last track, 'Asterisk Pt 2,' picks up where 'Asterisk Pt 1' left off. But like the first track, it--and all of 'Asterisk,' for that matter--ends far too soon.'~ Rift Magazine, March 2005 'FROM CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER'S LOCAL MUSIC COLUMN, MPLS STAR TRIBUNE -- Another new disc that's a sweet charmer, Gawker Slowdown's 'Asterisk,' is being touted Saturday at the Acadia Theater with Dan Israel and others (8 p.m.). The 'band' is actually one guy, Eric Kalenze, who made the album Westerberg-style in his basement -- and not to mention with a playful riff on the Replacements' 'Can't Hardly Wait' in his song 'The Saint Pauls.' Kalenze's best stuff is downbeat love songs such as the Elliott Smith soundalike 'Further,' but the more upbeat 'Red-Haired Girl' also shows he's a solid pop-rocker. Even without a real band.'~ Chris Riemenschneider, Mpls Star Tribune, 7 May 20 'LOST CAUSE MAGAZINE's REVIEW of 2003's 'WILL WORK FOR LOVE' -- You know how you dread having a friend shove a CD-R in your face and saying, This is my band, let me know what you think! The fact that the recording is probably bad, the vocals unlistenable and the drums recorded way too crappy all contribute to that dread. You think about how you'll have to be diplomatic and somehow spin your criticisms to sound positive.
But then you listen to the recording, and you don't have to worry, because the songs are good. This is Will Work For Love.
Gawker is one person sitting in his Northeast Minneapolis basement penning pretty alt country ballads, complete with nifty guitar picking and smooth vocal harmonies. Eric Kalenze's second Gawker effort is good and shows real potential. Kalenze, a mild veteran of the Twin Cities club circuit--he used to be in the band Third Wheel--decided to slow things down a bit and grab from his mellower influences for his latest effort. The album's opener, How Good It Is When It's Good, sets the record in nice, carefree motion with Kalenze bringing the song together with a comfortable guitar, sweet harmonica and his soft voice. It's a nice short song, assuring the listener that the rest of the cuts will be just as easy on the ears.
Songs like Gardenkeeper keep the album floating along. The lyrics are strong, the songs are mixed well and the obvious sense of melody suggest a professional approach to songwriting which many self-released albums lack.
The best part of the record is the variety of songs. While they all revolve around common themes (namely love, marriage, love lost, etc.) the songs do not get tired or rutty. Every song on this record is about love, which is why Will Work for Love's very listenability is so impressive. Clearly for Kalenze, making a worthwhile album is easy work.'~ Chaz Rice, Lost Cause Magazine, May 2003 |
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