speed of dark

I wonder if Reed KD agrees with the PR blurb that calls him "the bastard mutt child of Paul Simon, Tom Petty, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Dylan." I mean, it's both flattering and insulting--"bastard mutt??" And why not throw in Elliott Smith while we're at it?

Yes, he plays some nicely intricate acoustic guitar, he has a very pleasant tenor not unlike Paul Simon ("Empty Bottles") and the harmonies are similar to Simon and Garfunkel, he's pretty crafty with lyrics, and on occasion he plays harmonica like Dylan ("Travel Sick Blues"). But I don't think I would have come up with those references, especially not Hendrix. That's probably why you don't see me writing for music promoters.

What I can say is this: I get several sample CDs every week of which only a few are as enjoyable as The Ashes Bloom by Reed KD of Santa Cruz, CA. This CD was actually released in 2006, but for whatever reason it's being promoted now, I can only be glad. After going through it the first time, I immediately wanted to listen to it again. The songs are beautiful whether accompanied by only simple picking and blended harmonies or with percussion and a band (the Armchair Aviators).

I truly like it all, but I am especially partial to "Sinking Stone" for its delicious harmonies and "This Coastal Town" and "The Winter" for their gentle acoustic guitar.

My favorite example from his lyrics comes from "Roll Over"--about giving up on love:
"What's the use
Signing up for abuse
When I can do that myself?"

Reed KD from The Ashes Bloom:
Road Flares
Sinking Stone

Stream The Ashes Bloom
MySpace | Website | Label: Dirty Laundry Records
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