thesistermaria - "topekamericana"
self-released

When I first heard that thesistermaria was a one-man prject, the first thought that leapt into my head was, "Oh, hell. Not another singer-songwriter." Honestly, to quote Cracker, "what the worlds needs now is another folksinger, like I need a hole in my head."

Happily, this is not the case. Really, topekamericana sounds not a thing like singer-songwriter drivel, and much more like the Flaming Lips' more straightforward offerings (see such radio-friendly tracks as "Bad Days" and "Do You Realize?"), as well as "Bends"-era Radiohead.

The songs are low and quiet, with synthesizer quietly behind acoustic guitars and lightly tapped drums. The whole album cries for a rainy day or quiet night to be played.

Being in such company is heady, and possibly a little too far-reaching, but Marty Hillard (the man behind thesistermaria), performs all the songs with such aplomb and restraint, that it all comes off quite well. "topekamericana" is quite a surprisng effort to come out of such a town as Topeka, and all the more enjoyable for its surprise.