Kyle Sowashes, The / Somebody

Anyway

Every fertile music scene in America has a Kyle Sowash to call its own. He’s the integral, overambitious, indie rock everyman responsible for bringing to town bands that, barring his begging, would otherwise pass on by. He’s the fervent local enthusiast always in the front row, even on a wintry Tuesday. His floor’s been infinitely crashed upon, his bank account tapped from self-financed / self-made tours of the country—basically he’s racked up enough DIY karma points that you’re obligated to buy Somebody on his good works alone. Sowash’s selfless moral character may be common in places like Cleveland, Portland, Athens and Chapel Hill, but his style, his demeanor and his songs are distinctly Columbus, Ohio. Sowash readily admits his debt to indie rock’s golden age—Somebody is a study in the work of bands like Superchunk, Archers of Loaf, Silkworm and Pavement—but he draws on those influences judiciously. In other words, this is no tribute album. While “Pain Don’t Hurt” and “Gray Hair” will certainly signal a nostalgic flag, the themes are distinctly Columbus, distinctly Kyle Sowash. This album makes getting older and longing for the mid-’90s sound fun... It’s time to get your beard ready again.

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