IDAHO
“Skyscrape”/”Star”
The critical listener should always be wary of bands named
after places—take
Boston, Kansas, ChilIiwack...Grant Lee Buffalo (just
kidding). Idaho’s titling.seems sarcastic,
considering it’s two guys from LA., though in a way it
points to the sparse, lonesome expanse depicted in their sound. On “Skyscrape’ they also remind of fellow lost angels Blackbird
without the drum machine, or Red House Painters with a lot more structure. “Star”
dwells more in Sebadohland, which makes it cosmically,
if not literally, a b-side. but there’s at least one
song worthy of repeat listens here. Kick the heroin,
guys, and give us more.
(Ringers Lactate, POB 5012, Long Island City NY 11105) —Eric Gladstone