A 7 song mini-CD from San Francisco artist Scott Gagner, whose band is called Cartographer and who create an immediately engaging sound right off the back with lead off track The Trouble With You that sounds like a classic song from long time personal fave The Black Watch. I`m Not Following You is a classic power pop song that just reeks as a solid example of the genre, while others explore Wilco and REM influences. It sounds like it may be all over the place but the 7 songs here play effortlessly and in coherence with each other with grace and style and hint at great things to come with future efforts. "Top 10 EP Release of 2008. starts with "The Trouble With You", which reminds me of Wilco circa Summerteeth and also of Warren Zanes` "When We Began", followed by the uptempo rocker "I`m Not Following You". Meanwhile, "Love Triangle for Two" sounds like a lost Joseph Arthur track, especially given that Gagner bears a striking vocal resemblance to Arthur, and "Waiting" has the kind of breezy melody, midtempo arranagement and hooky chorus that I just eat up. All in all, Gagner has mapped out a fine debut here." - Absolute Power Pop blog. "Cartographer is a fine example of good songwriting in the classic style of REM or Wilco, with a rich melodic sound. A big standout here is I`m Not Following You with it`s ringing guitars and perfect pop rhythms that will bounce around in your head for days. Layers of piano, moog synths and drums make Love Triangle For Two a pleasant mid tempo diversion. It gets more alt country with the ballad "Sound Rebounds" and Waiting have a Wilco meets Pearl Jam feel. Suburban Girl has nice energy, with guitar, synth melody and handclaps that make this song lots of fun. I look forward to a follow up." - Power Pop Aholic blog. "Cartographer lies in the DMZ between baroque balladry and adrenal power pop. Luscious arrangements and soulful vocals make this pure ear candy." - The Lightning Round
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