Count The Days
Eurodorable Recordings
5 Stars

The Seedy Seeds not only have a slightly unusual origin, they have a rather different sound as well. The sound is an amalgamation of banjo, accordion, vocals and a variety of keyboard beats. The band was the product of a conversation in which Mike Ingram (banjo, guitar, vocals) and Margaret Darling (accordion, vocals) tossed around the idea of starting a band and finally learning how to play those instruments gathering dust in the proverbial closet. What is the result of all this? An intriguing album with a lot going for it and a freshness, playfulness and creativity somewhat unusual to find in modern music.

“Winter 04” immediately gives listeners a sense of what the rest of the album is like. The vaguely country twang of the banjo combined with a clearly indie approach is likely to make listeners curious and eager to hear more. Darling and Ingram’s vocals blend together well and drummer Brian Penick adds just the right level of percussion to the entire mix. “Dandelion” continues to build on the sound first explored in “Winter 04.” The tight vocal harmonies and gently propelling beats balance nicely with some accordion melodies and while it may seem odd to find an accordion in a rather indie-based song, it somehow works.

“The Push” picks up the pace a bit and shakes listeners up before they become at all complacent. The banjo and a rather intense country feel laid over a beat machine make for an odd but appealing juxtaposition and makes this one of the standout songs on the album. “My Roots Go Down” is another track that revels in the combination of country, indie and electronica. Even for those listeners that don’t typically like country music, there’s just something entertaining and charming about this track; it’s country without being obnoxiously or self-indulgently so.

“August Eyes” continues to push the boundaries of The Seedy Seeds’ music with even more emphasis on the electronic aspects, but it never veers so far away from the band’s signature sound that it seems out of place. “Losing Light” is another particularly fun song (even though the album is full of intriguing and fun tracks) it has a good beat, tempo and some interesting things happening with the interplay between the banjo and percussion. As on many of the songs, Darling and Ingram’s vocals are a good fit, offering interesting contrast but simultaneously being complimentary.

Although it isn’t conventional, Count The Days is one of the best albums to come along in quite a while and it’s easy to see why the band has such a loyal and enthusiastic following in their native Cincinnati. In a time where much contemporary music is run of the mill and relatively boring, The Seedy Seeds manage to create an album chock full of exciting songs and hold on to a unique sound. It is a treat from start to finish and well worth taking the time to check out. – EVELYN MISKA

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