Acoustic/electric rock 'n' roll (in the style of Mellencamp and Petty) with a splash of cello.

14 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, FOLK: Folk Pop



Details:
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From the sleepy sprawl of the Pacific Northwest comes Broken Down and Beautiful*, a six-piece band whose melodic pop-rock songs and harmony-soaked vocals resonate with sprawling tapestries and tales of hopefulness and heartache.

Formed in 2004 by Scott Castle (guitars, vocals, etc.) and Jamie Sullivan (lead vocal), the two recruited their former band mate Brian Early (guitar, vocals) to undertake a self-manned recording project that led to the genesis of jamestown. With a strong desire to play live shows, the threesome added previous band mates from âpilgrimâs feetâ Karen Bristol (bass), and Aimee Boudreau (viola, vocals). As the band pilgrimâs feet, they had already earned a loyal grassroots following through impressive Portland area gigs and logged a remarkable amount of time writing music together and perfecting their craft (Jamie and Brian have been playing together for over ten years). The latest addition was James Lofton (drums), a friend of Aimee and Karen.

With the lineup secure, all the band needed was a name. When asked where the band got their name, lead singer and primary lyricist Jamie Sullivan explains that "'Broken Down and Beautiful'" is a metaphor for the opportunities that wash in and out of our lives; the paths that we all take and how they sometimes cross. Sometimes it leads to brokenness and regret; other times to restoration and redemption. The album weâve written weaves an allegorical tale of every humanâs common struggle of balancing between âbroken down and beautiful.â"

âthere is power in the weakness of a child / there is healing in the pain / there is beauty in redemption / just like the beauty on your face / there are things I canât remember / but there are some things that remain / there is beauty in the tired and poor and huddled masses / there is beautyâ âtaken from the song broken down and beautiful

At first listen the album, jamestown, conjures up the glory days of the acoustic/electric, intensely melodic pop rock of such 90âs staples as Toad the Wet Sprocket and the raw splendor of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Modern day comparisons include the melodic, soul searching pen and voice of Glen Phillips combined with the guitar playfulness of John Mayer and chemistry of Jars of Clay or Wilco. The opening track tonight, with itâs harmonies a la The Cars, slowly builds to a raw, roaring guitar climax accompanied by the lone cello of fellow musician Ryan (a breath of fresh air considering the over-orchestrated, over-produced albums that are a dime a dozen these days). Set the cruise control, roll down the window and get ready for an infectious ride through a sophisticated, emotional blend of acoustic and electric guitars, a sprinkling of cello and mandolin, and the gentle-yet-insistent rhythms that serve as a backdrop for Sullivanâs soul-baring, achingly beautiful vocals. CAUTION: you may find yourself humming Castleâs hook-laden guitar solos for days to come upon your first listen to Broken Down and Beautiful. There is no known cure at this time. May cause uncontrollable repeated listens.

Considering the groupâs comparisons to Toad the Wet Sprocket (the band even recorded a tribute song titled âhey bullfrogâ about a road trip to see the band on their final tour) and the quality of songwriting involved, it is no surprise that this band has become a grassroots underdog on the buzzing Pacific Northwest music scene. Having become a crowd favorite (as pilgrimâs feet) playing to standing room only crowds at the trendy Portal Café in Vancouver, WA, the band is also no stranger to rousing the crowds of over a thousand at festivals throughout the Northwest. This band has a raw, tight stage show that will humble the toughest critic. Broken Down and Beautiful can wow the crowds at the Portland Saturday Market with a jangly, rock and roll hoedown with the best of âem just as much as they can romance the small, intimate coffeehouse scene with their stripped-down, story-telling melodies. Itâs this unique yet familiar as a morning cup of coffee sound that will soon be a force to be reckoned with on the Portland music scene.

*note: our band is currently in the midst of a name change and will be known as 'Raiding Windmills' in the future.