Hello, Blue Roses: All the best songs begin with 's'.

MP3: Hello, Blue Roses - St. Angela

MP3: Hello, Blue Roses - Sunny Skies

From what I've noticed, most everyone is paying attention to Hello, Blue Roses because of Dan Bejar's (Destroyer, New Pornographers, Swan Lake) involvement which, is all well and good, but hopefully after being drawn in by that fact they will realize the true shining star of the group is songwriter Sydney Vermont. She really stands out with her near divine singing and her ability to create such vivid imagery from her lyrics. It should come as no surprise that this beauty is coming from a visual artist: she really does paint stunning, audible pictures.

I really appreciate the dynamic of the group: Vermont builds them up and Bejar arranges them and then proceeds to knock it all out of the park. In the end, you have an album's worth of songs that are carefree, deep and original. I think it is safe to say that "The Portrait Is Finished And I Have Failed To Capture Your Beauty..." is the first great record of 2008. Best wishes and good luck to everyone else who decides to release music this year.

"The Portrait Is Finished And I Have Failed To Capture Your Beauty..." is out tomorrow, January 22nd from Locust Music.

{purchase hello, blue roses recordings from locust music}