Joseph

Add Date: August 30 

Artist: Joseph 

Album: I'm Alone, No You're Not 

Label: ATO 

Genre: Indie pop, folk rock 

Comments: Since it's back-to-school time, how about a math equation? Here goes:

First Aid Kit + Haim = Joseph

It's pretty basic addition: imagine the folksier stylings of First Aid Kit embedded with the pop-oriented sound of Haim, and you'll emerge with another fine sister act, Joseph. On their full-length debut, I'm Alone, No You're Not, the Portland trio of Natalie, Meegan, and Allison Closner -- named for the tiny northeastern Oregon town of Joseph, and for their grandfather Jo -- strike a fine balance between Americana-tinged rock and straightforward pop.

There are tunes that lean toward the folk end; "Canyon", "Hundred Ways", and "I Don't Mind" would all fit right in on Stay Gold -- not coincidentally, Bright Eyes' Mike Mogis produced both records. Elsewhere, "SOS (Overboard)" and "Blood & Tears" could be happily mistaken for tracks from that other West Coast sister trio. But Joseph are at their best -- and much harder to pin down -- when they fuse together these two styles, particularly on album standout (and late entry into the Song of the Summer race) "White Flag".

Stylistic comparisons (and math problems) aside, Joseph have turned in a fine debut with I'm Alone, No You're Not. 

Recommended Tracks: 8, 2, 1, 3, 4

DNP: none