Ellington

Calla – "Collisions" (Beggars US, 2005) Darkly cinematic and rain swept, New York-based Calla is a 3-piece band who are a paradox unto themselves. While their music is executed in a somewhat dramatic fashion, the moodiness and foreboding of the vocals understate their intensity in such a way as to put the listener into a nebulous psychic space; in this respect, they fall somewhere between Love and Rockets and The Church. On their fourth full-length disc, "Collisions," the music and vocals are a bit more caffeinated and straightforward without losing the signature foggy sound. The guitars have a spaghetti western or surf rock tinge, while the bass line pulverizes, and vocals sedate the listener. If you are familiar with their last full-length offering, "Televise," then this is a nice continuation—done with a bit more conviction.