"Telto seems to take a perverse pleasure in collecting and listing [see http://www.telto.org/telto.htm#comparisons] the disparate musical comparisons that arise when publications review Bugged. The comparisons vary broadly because Telto has found th [+]"Telto seems to take a perverse pleasure in collecting and listing [see http://www.telto.org/telto.htm#comparisons] the disparate musical comparisons that arise when publications review Bugged. The comparisons vary broadly because Telto has found that all-important midpoint between label sampler variety and every-song-sounds-alike homogeneity; while Bugged can clearly be identified as Telto's work, there's no simple formula that can be applied to each song. Songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Leslie Dean is a creative dynamo, favoring unpredictable minor-key melodies and post-goth psychedelic sprawl over standard pop song progression. I'll add a few reference points for the band's trophy wall: their more rocking moments recall Fetchin' Bones, while Dean's passionately quirky vocal delivery hints not only at the mid-eighties 4AD stable, but also at the flat-out weirdness of Caterwaul (a band from the late '80s that I think I may have hallucinated). Every moment on Bugged builds toward the spectacular 'Touch,' which closes the disc with a gorgeous flood of sustained minor key angst. Dean works herself into a furious lather as the guitars peak in a cathartic explosion of sound. Even if the rest of the record fails to engage you - which I find doubtful - you'll listen to 'Touch' again and again." - (review by Splendid Ezine)
"Gifted songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Leslie Dean should probably be making music for a living. Her raw rock songs have a taste of surf and a tinge of country and mix intelligent lyrics with excellent musicianship..." - (review by Gangreen)
"Rocketing off the reel like a runaway truck, Telto dig deep into the groove...Leslie Dean is a terrific guitarist, pulling in country, funk, surf and jazz influences and twisting them together forcefully....She's just as compelling as a vocalist....Not to be overlooked are the fluid, jazzy chops of Stock...this rhythm section can turn on a dime." - (review by Alternative Press Magazine)
"...never imitative and occasionally a bit scary in its intensity. Dean's edgy, haunting voice preternaturally drew out her apocryphal, defiant lyrics...Plus, her guitar rocks - her rhythm and lines are unusual and imaginative. Meanwhile Stock beats the precise hell out of his powerful kit...His drumming unca
|
 |