Gilded Age

Norfolk & Western: Adam Selzer (vocals, guitar); Amanda Lawrence (viola); Cory Gray (trumpet, keyboards); Dave Depper (bass instrument); Rachel Blumberg (drums).
Known more for its connections to M. Ward and the Decemberists than its own music, Portland, Oregon's Norfolk & Western ably furthers an already solid reputation with this 2006 eight-song EP. Though the group, led by vocalist/multi-instrumentalists Adam Selzer and Rachel Blumberg, shares some aesthetic elements with both aforementioned acts, Norfolk & Western crafts its own eclectic, nostalgia-tinged chamber-pop sound, which is capable of moving from delicate string passages to brief distorted guitar solos. While the wistful opener, "Porch Destruction," sets up a dreamy, wistful mood, the following title track reveals the band's more energetic side, making A GILDED AGE an excellent Norfolk & Western primer that showcases the ensemble's artistic range.