The bastard child of a one night stand with Randy Newman and Cat Power. Clever unconventional bottom-of-the-bottle pop. Piano driven songs peppered with a charming array of instruments and covered with sexy male "pillow talk" vocals.

12 MP3 Songs
POP: Pop/Rock, ROCK: Post-Rock/Experimental

Details:
Possibly the most eco-friendly record label has produced one of the most sustainable records of the year. Housed in an individually hand-stamped, recycled office paper sleeve, the album appears crude and simplistic, but the nobility behind reducing carbon by eliminating plastic jewel cases reveals a thoughtfulness and acumen thatâs also found in the rich, buoyant songs on the album.

Singer/songwriter Cory Gray offers an answer for those seeking the next Black Heart Procession or Songs: Ohia. The songs on Carcrashlander are static-free, clean, richly produced and largely piano driven â minimalist dark tunnels centered on Grayâs deep, inscrutable voice. The debut is a cohesive work and, like any BHP album, it feels vintage, like a treacherous waltz or like the dark, slowed moments of later Tom Waits. Songs typically arrive with gentle piano chording and patiently paced drums, dotted by subtle dirty electric guitar and synths.

Undeniably, the heart of the album belongs to Gray, whose voice and words elevate the placid instrumentation into inexplicable gorgeousness. This is especially pronounced on the song âBranches Made of Money,â which effortlessly flows with ride cymbal pings and a hauntingly stark piano melody as Gray sings in near conversational tones, âI sleep with sleepless horses racing / From a source that somehow forces me to ignore everything / Itâs not enough / Itâs hot enough in the summertime / Itâs hard enough / Itâs hot enough outside.â

With all of Grayâs doubled harmonies and dark broodiness, the result is an artful, delicate and completely indelible series of emotional experiences. If this debut album is a sign of things to come for this equally debut label, tell Jagjaguwar to scoot over and make room for the new guy.
- West Coast Performer (CD of the Month! April 2008)

This is the first full-length release from Portland 's Cory Gray, who toured with the complimentary Desert City Soundtrack for years. Tightly-knit, melodic-driving pianocore, with minor pop undertones, and wooing vocals makes for a unique first release from newly-minted label Parks & Records, which was recently started as a "green" label (the packaging is made from recycled materials and is limited in plastics) by Jon Fee (The Rum Diary) and his wife Mimi. "Carcrashlander" will instantly whisk you away into soundscapes of solitude and will paint rural backdrops in your mind. This is a must for fans of The Desert City Soundtrack, The Rum Diary, Black Heart Procession, Pleasure Forever, as well as music with an indie/folky, and earthy sound.
- AMP Magazine

The first thing that caught our attention about this release was the label. The folks at the independent Parks and Records label are approaching things from a different perspective...apparently driven more by morals than money. Not only are they only releasing albums they feel very strongly about by folks who they feel are like-minded, but their CDs are packaged in 100 recycled/reused packaging. Not only that, but they support environmentally friendly organizations. That was nifty enough to be certain...but we were even more impressed when we heard the music of Carcrashlander. Damn, this is good stuff. The band is the project created by Cory Gray who was previously in the band The Desert City Soundtrack. Gray writes smooth, instantly friendly, smart pop music that features cool arrangements and excellent vocals. His intriguing subtle lyrics and melodies have real staying power. This twelve track album is a real winner. Top picks: "Gold Sunset," "Carbon Waltz," "Quoting Dead Comedians," and "Words in Another Language." Recommended. (Rating: 5++)
- Babysue.com

On first listen, Portland-based Carcrashlander really caught my attention with their piano-driven melodies and dreamy, bedroom vocals. Cory Gray (a.k.a. the Carcrashlander) has an affinity for writing catchy pop-songs that lack traditional chorusesâthe instrumentation holds the melody while the lyrics just drift on without repetition.
- USF Foghorn

People who are interested in Three Mile Pilot Songs: Ohia Hayden should consider this download.