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)Hey Marseilles
To Trunks and Travels
BY Ian GormelyPublished Jul 19, 2010