Search - Son Ambulance :: Euphemystic

It's been just under a year since Son, Ambulance (a.k.a. Joe Knapp) came flying out of the Saddle Creek starting block via a CD split with fellow Omaha, Nebraska, artist Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes). While this second collaboration with Oberst (the two previously recorded a split EP for Insound's Tour Support Series) helped lodge Knapp in the minds of the indie-music masses, forcing the two together in an "every other track" format frequently made for unfavorable reviews of Knapp's work. The darker atmosphere of Bright Eyes clashed with the folk-pop aesthetic of Son, Ambulance, and many believed the two great tastes did not taste great together. Euphemystic sees Knapp striking out on his own with 10 fresh songs likely to win back some of those put off by Oh Holy Fools. Though the singer-songwriter often sounds like a ringer for Nick Drake--and in songs like the dreamy, organ-led "A Book Laid on Its Binding" or the Spanish-inflected "Maria's in Motion," he sounds like his former roommate Oberst, as well--his uninterrupted opus builds its own roomy, austere house and invites listeners to step inside. Set a spell, take your shoes off, and you'll want to come back to hear. --Sarah Sternau