Farewell Milwaukee – “When It Sinks In”

The beauty of an acoustic guitar. The easy flow of the harmonies. The steady groove of the back line. The heartache yearning squeal of the electric guitar. This is Americana at its finest. This is Farewell Milwaukee.

Five guys based out of Minneapolis have come together to continue what bands like The Band started; honest music that explores raw emotion and captures daily life. The band’s second album provides 13 tracks of positive vibes through soft ballads you can sink into and bar room sing-alongs.

Farewell Milwaukee consists of Ben Lubeck (vocal, guitar), Aaron Markson (guitar, vocal), Adam Lamoureux (keyboard, vocal), Kyle Magstadt (bass, vocal) & Brad Fox (drums, percussion). They traveled to Nashville to record with producer/engineer Brad Bivens (Kings of Leon, Cold War Kids, Norah Jones) and the result was a resounding success.

It starts with the opener, and one of the strongest tracks on the album. “The Wallpaper’s Gonna Swallow You Whole” starts off with Lamoureux’s keys that pay homage to Richard Manuel of The Band. They use four-part harmonies throughout and have created a song that just hits on every level.

The album’s first single, “Always Be Your Man,” is another strong upbeat track with Lubeck professing his love and Markson delivering a smooth riff. Men, take note. The next time your lady makes a comment about you never saying those heartfelt things you never know how to communicate, play her this song.

The band can play a good old time country rocker as well. “Waiting On You” recalls a time when the slapping of the snare and the banjo-like guitar were staples. Again Lubeck is calling out to his love and the band carries it away with the up-tempo.

Then you have a song like “Living On Your Looks” that is bound to get at least one man in trouble if played after midnight at the local bar. Another uptempo rocker, it’s a sing-a-long with some solid piano play. “You Are The Only One” channels Jackson Browne at his finest.

The album offers a handful of ballads and mellow tunes, including the title track to round out the album. The acoustic guitar based “Come Back Home” is a powerful song with an amazing version filmed during recording on Youtube.

When It Sinks In provides everything you want in a good Americana album. There are no weak songs on this album. The harmonies are tight, the music strong, the lyrics meaningful and the feel…pure Midwest.

Released: 17 May 2011
Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Brad Bivens
Mastered by Doug Van Sloun – Focus Mastering
Additional Engineering – Aaron Markson
Assistant Engineer – James Childs

Recorded and Mixed at The Eldredge – Nashville, TN
Additional Recording at Markson & Fox – Minneapolis, MN

Farewell Milwaukee is:

Ben Lubeck – Vocals, Guitars
Aaron Markson – Guitars, Vocals
Adam Lamoureux – Piano, Organ, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Celeste, Vocals
Brad Fox – Drums, Percussion
Kyle Magstadt – Bass, Vocals

Additional Musicians:

Luke Jacobs – Pedal Steel
Dave Strahan – Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar
Will Sayles – Percussion
Bethany Kurbis – Vocals
Graham Sherrill – Banjo
Avery Anderson – Violin
Brad Bivens – Piano

Artwork by Matthew Pfahlert–Pfahlert Creative Labs

Download this album at:  http://farewellmilwaukee.bandcamp.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/farewellmilwaukee

Myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/farewellmilwaukee

Reverbnation:  http://www.reverbnation.com/farewellmilwaukee

Website:  http://www.farewellmilwaukee.com

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