Hey Marseilles

To Trunks and Travels

BY Ian GormelyPublished Jul 19, 2010

Although it's been available around the Pacific Northwest for over a year-and-a-half, Hey Marseilles have given their debut album the remix treatment for this wider re-release. The orchestral pop album made waves in the septet's native Seattle upon its original release and now the band are hoping to duplicate the swift success on a grander scale. But while their DIY success story might play well with the local media, the band are wading into deeper, shark-infested waters where ambitious indie pop records are a dime a dozen. Their old-world-style instrumentation (mandolins, accordions) and melodies bring to mind fellow PNWers the Decemberists, or even a continental take on English folk rockers Mumford & Sons. But the oh-so-sincere vocal delivery, which should be Hey Marseilles's Achilles Heel, is surprisingly affecting; it's difficult not to get swept away in their twee world of whimsy. Check your cynicism at the door and just give in.
(Onto)

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