Terrramara

Saturday, July 9, Pizza Luce

Andrew Olson

Reader Weekly

Light and steady, Terramara arrives in Duluth this Saturday with an Uptown beat. They are Steely Dan cool with a jazzy pop Sting slickness. Mixing various styles and lyricism into an easy to listen to album titled, Four Blocks To Hennepin (Redhead Productions), they end up with a full sound and many facets.

Terramara was started by Duluth native Rob Meany (Lead Vocalist, Songwriter, and Keyboards) in 1998. The current lineup consists of Karl Koopman (Guitar), Dave Thomas (Drums), and newcomer Erik Pederson (Bass). Four Block To Hennepin is for the listener that wants to chill and take in some quality city inspired music. The tune “Rise & Fall" has a Sting quality complimented by a steady piano beat keeping tempo. The song soars in the chorus becoming modern and utilizing harmonies. “Wooden Man" is softer and really goes into an eighties sound that seems a bit dated. As the disc plays through the songwriter begins to emerge. When you get to “Invisible People" there is an observation of the homeless with Rob singing, “Can you see them on the avenue? Begging for change with an empty shoe/there but for the grace of God go me and you."

“Smoke & Mirrors" is light jazz with an intimate twist. We enjoy a long instrumental that feels Steely, but has a bit more bite as it fades out. Another style that pops up is in “Outrunning Headlights." This one had Randy Newman optimism with nice lyrics and a good hook.

The entire album is based on an artist’s view of the city and feels like a foreign take on a strange land. Terramara emulate the city, and try to become part of it with their album. You can almost hear the cars driving by and see the homeless begging for some change at some points. Listening to the album is like taking a trip to the cities, and walking in another man’s shoes. Take a trip with them, and save on gas by going to Luce.