"MOONLIGHT GIRLS" BY TOM HALLETT
PULSE OF THE TWIN CITIES
Talk about a record that damn near matches up to my own eclectic tastes, track for track! These local rocky-tonk heroes-to-be are equally at home spewing Mats-ian vinegar, howlin out Haggard-isms or riffin off Rolling Stones-y lyrical lashings... killer shit.
Tom Hallett - Pulse of the Twin Cities,
High on Stress' sound hovers somewhere between Paul Westerberg-influenced rock and Son Volt-inspired alt-country. They are what rock and roll sounds like in my head when I think of rock and roll.
Robert Longmore - Metro State University Newspaper
Nick Leet's alternately gritty and pretty songs live up to the productions high standards. High On Stress mark yet another welcome addition to the already burgeoning local alt. country scene.
Rob van Alstyne - Pulse of the Twin Cities
Nick Leet is the primary songwriter, and he comes up with some lyrical nuggets, as on the opening track, "You Have Conversations with Jesus." "You're a freight train with understated makeup," Leet sings of a former girlfriend. The clever, enigmatic lyrics of "Eyeliner Blues" provide evidence that the band's been taking notes while listening to their Paul Westerberg records. "Cash Machine" is the catchiest track here, with its shout-along chorus, reminiscent of A.M.-era Wilco. High on Stress make rare, but effective use of the distortion pedal, putting a felicitous charge into tracks such as "Postcard that Says Breathe." There are other welcome, unexpected flourishes throughout, like the organ jam at the close of "Sleeping in the Backs of Cars" and the banjo fills (courtesy of guest Mike Brady) on "1995." But the track that puts this album over for me is "Minot," an irresistible poison-pen Valentine to North Dakota. "This is an ode to cover bands, and bad punk rock, and a town I can't stand," Leet snipes. More than a few small-town transplants will find the sentiment familiar.
Paul Demko - City Pages
High on Stress has created one of the most impeccably produced local albums in recent memory. Their finely crafted alt-country absolutely sparkles with the end result being an album standing up to numerous listens. Guitarist/singer Nick Leet exhibits an uncanny ability to take an average pop song and infuse it with enough gritty honesty to keep things captivating. Album standout "Cash Machine" boasts an irresistible chorus leaving listeners with no other choice to sing along. If "Minot" was recorded on a four-track, it could easily have been a dorm room standard in 1997. "Postcard that says Breathe" could easily have been an out-take from Wilco's "A.M." and it's only a matter of time before album opener, the Jay Farrar-esque, "You Have Conversations with Jesus," is in heavy rotation on The Current. Sure it's derivative, It's also one of the best albums to come out of the local scene in quite a while. In this case, lack of innovation does not mean lack of quality. the best songs will stay in your head for weeks. Here's hoping that High on Stress can keep their hormones under control and keep writing memorable tributes to the artist who have inspired them.
-Rift Magazine
Minneapolis is an amazing music city. The history of pop has proven that. But it's not only a matter of history. Golden Smog has a new cd coming out in late spring, Stook has given us a great album lately and High On Stress is also getting itself in the spotlight. High On Stress - a band name which doesn't represent it's sound- is a quartet that formed in 2003. The main man is singer, guitarist and songwriter Nick Leet, who's accompanied by a guitarist, bass player and drummer. The sound of the band makes you think of early REM and bands from that era: Connells, Miracle Legion and the Chant. HoS has a rootsy twangy pop sound that's been put to good use on the debut album "Moonlight Girls". The first track "You Have Conversations with Jesus" sounds exactly like REM with it's ringing guitars and further on in the album there are more mid-tempo rockers, influences by the Replacements and early Wilco come through. Leet writes beautiful catchy songs like "Eyeliner Blues", "Gold Star" ala Camper Van Beethoven, "My Former Life on the Cutting Room Floor" and the swagger of "Sleeping in the Backs of Cars". Very recommendable for people who like poppy roots-rock or rootsy pop rock. You can buy the cd at cdbaby or miles of music.
-Alt Country NL (the Netherlands)
"Moonlight Girls" is a testament to the timelessness and livelihood of alternative/pop rock. In an industry dominated by scenesters and fad genres, this music remains true to itself, free of pretension and filled with honest songwriting. Taking cues from Americana-tinged chords of The Jayhawks and Soul Asylum, songs like "You Have Conversations with Jesus" and "1995" are brilliant, beautiful, and extremely refreshing--especially in the wistful pedal steel in "1995." All in all, Moonlight Girls is a delightful listen and finely crafted album.
-Shut Eye Records (Atlanta, GA)
They don't sound TOO stressed out. In fact, the overall sound is rather laid back and mellow. It's part alt-country, part indie pop, and just the right amount of alt-rock. I hear bits of REM, a little bit of Buffalo Tom, and maybe just a hint of the Replacements.
-South of Mainstream
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