The Brooklyn based indie folk pop band The Essex Green’s album “Cannibal Sea” was one of my favorites of 2006. Their timeless music is Mamas And The Papas meets Belle & Sebastian. While I would rather want to see them at an outdoor venue during a sun drenched summer day with a babbling brook or mountain as the backdrop, a chilly sunday night in NYC at the Mercury Lounge would have to suffice. I mention wanting to see them outdoors because their music and personalities make me think about nature and New England and Northern California in the 60′s.
The show last night was my first time seeing The Essex Green and it was a lot of fun in spite of some technical difficulties beforehand and Sasha Bell (vocals/keys/flute) having a few brain farts with the lyrics. They played almost the entire “Cannibal Sea” album, which I was happy about, with a few other songs mixed in. The harmonizing between Sasha and Chris Ziter (vocals/guitar) on vocals wasn’t as strong as I would have liked, but still tranquil and sweet. Unlike most indie folk bands, Tim Barnes on drums gives you a beat that makes you want to move and the same goes for Julia Rydholm on bass. What I love about The Essex Green is that they incorporate the folk / pop / northern california music of the 60′s but still sound fresh and new. I hope to catch them again this summer…the South Street Seaport would be nice…somebody work on making that happen.