LaSalle - Expedition Songs

Mike Reed's musical discourse spent half a decade with one of Michigan's most under-appreciated bands, bellowing an outpour of emotion over post-punk guitars, cold winter nights, beards, and of course, I'm assuming, a good deal of alcohol. Small Brown Bike was the band, and unfortunately the group called it quits back in 2004, shortly after the release of their Lookout! Records debut The River Bed. LaSalle reunites Reed (guitar/vocals) with Small Brown Bike drummer Dan Jaquint, and Mrs. Reed herself (Katy) on bass and vocals. First and foremost, as would be expected, comparisons between the two bands are necessary. It's inevitable, though sometimes I feel as though the juxtapositions detract from one or both of the artists in question. LaSalle isn't as heavy or gritty-sounding as Small Brown Bike, but only those freezing Midwestern nights could yield songs with such a cold demeanor as these 11, though there's multitudes of beauty in each. Spry and earnest, and often gorgeously simplistic, Expedition Songs is at its best when the band ponders alt-country textures with steel guitar. Mike Reed succeeds once more, proving that he's superb songwriter--one step above the rest in most of the bands in LaSalle's genre, if you can pinpoint one that suits them. A fantastic record, but one that you probably won't be pulling out when the sun is shining. [www.lasalle.com]