The Morning Clouds

What is it that makes taking oldies-era pop hooks, driving them with fuzzed-out guitar, and slathering the resulting songs in reverb so damned appealing? Sure, it’s a formula but, as formulas go, it’s a pretty damn good one, combining a bunch of well-worn tools that offer instant appeal with a near infinite flexibility to put your own stamp on the sound. It’s a formula worked to excellent effect by The Morning Clouds, which got its start as a side project of Fell’s Josh Wambeke before growing into a full band and getting signed by Lefse. A quick listen to Wasted Youth Blues, the act’s debut EP, makes it easy to see why Lefse snatched it up—the songwriting is crisp and the atmosphere is gorgeous. That’s always a formula for success.

Updated 11/30/2011