Driving Power Pop and pastoral folk flourishes woven together with a melodic, harmony driven rock thread.

6 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Americana, ROCK: Classic Rock



Details:
The Middle States pull together elements of power-pop, pastoral folk, hints of new wave and British Invasion to worship at the altar of rock. "Great Portland Street", the debut EP by Middle States fearlessly crosses the line which separates mimicry and cheap imitation from tribute through pure distillation.

Multi-layered vocals and guitars soak the tracks "In My Head" and the wave-y 'This years Model' knock off "All the Voices" while the acoustic 12 string guitar holds down the Elliot Smith nod, "Big Decision". "Melrose Flats" is an up folky number which dares not hide its Rubber Soul. "Coming to" brings the folk and the rock together, while "The Promises" continues that trend, getting moodier while adding the painterly Hammond Organ and Chamberlain Strings by guest keyboardist Pete Sands (Honeydogs).

The Middle States are all Minneapolis rock veterans; singer guitarist Wes Morden (Dylan Hicks, National Dynamite, Vortex Navigation Company, and Terry Eason) bassist Randy Venaas, (Straw Dogs, Cartwheel) drummer Craig Gallas (Joe Juliano, The Richochets) and singer guitarist Ben Glaros, (Fire Under Water. The Pedestrians)

* " All the Voices" chosen to appear on "International Pop Overthrow" 2004 compilation
* Middle States appear on Double D Records "- A Tribute to Elliot Smith" covering the song "Waltz #2"

"...Wes Morden writes indelible songs and his power-pop band pulls them off with strength and style-BAM

"... his songs sort of come across like Buddy Holly and Aztec Camera covers the Clash. Very classy work.-Cake

"...Beatles meets Byrds power-pop" -Minneapolis Star Tribune

" ...All in all, Wes provides great lyrics, great harmonies, and definitely has what it takes to be a hit.-Cake