Kelley Stoltz
Independent - Feb 28, 2008
review by lissanana

Kelley Stoltz has a way of sneaking up on me. For some reason, before I first listened to his Below the Branches album I just thought I wasn't going to be into it. Fast-forward 13 tracks later - a new favorite. I'm hooked.

Going off of that experience, I was psyched to see him play as part of NoisePop. But he didn't have a strong start for me, despite the presence of a bubble machine on stage. His music is great, and packed with Beach-Boy-esque energy (without the hokeyness). His drummer was having a great time, his bassist was having a great time, but Kelley seemed not into it, and that bummed me out.

Things took a turn for the better when he pulled his mom onstage for a cameo in "Memory Collector". But still, Kelley seemed too solemn for his lighthearted sound. Just as I began to lose hope in his live performance, he started to show a little more of his dry humor, and the music seemed more together as the night progressed. Things continued on this upswing, and by the encore it was a real show.

I wish he hadn't taken his time to get to that point, but I'm so glad he did. He's got a lot to offer.

posted Mar 09, 2008
close window