Point Juncture, WA: A Thesis On How To Self-Release A Really Good Album.

The lyrics set to "Duodecimo", track #1 on Mama Auto Boss, the 2005 self-release by Portland, Oregon indie rockers, Point Juncture, WA, could have been "shake Jake awake/forest fires are coming/overdrive despair/oesophagus" or some shit like that. And it would have worked, totally. Instead, this semi-instrumental number opens with musical instruments waking from sleep, stretching and yawning, and the distorted, barely audible whisper of some guy talking in amplitude modulation. In the three or so minutes that follow, this "how the hell did I just not know about them" quintet coax their rhythm section to full alert, and without much ado, begin an odyssey into the most exacting quiet rock I have heard in the past few months. I fall in love completely on the third track "Cardboard Box", where the lo-fi feel of the entire album becomes apparent, and you suddenly discover the sweet singing voice of Amanda (I assume this is the lady's name, since other band members' names are Victor, Wilson, Jesse & Skyler). "Autopilot", a song about the role of eyes in a sinking relationship, is another standout, and showcases the vocal talents of some other band members (I counted two or three vocals besides Amanda on the album) as they chant the ending refrain, "do you feel cross-eyed too, do you?" Not very often does a good cd show up in your mail, but when one does, you don't mind waking up at 5.30am to talk about it, because you think it's a great way to start your busy day. Point Juncture, WA are currently top on my list of 5.30am bands. Exciting.

Duodecimo
Cardboard Box
Autopilot

Play other tracks from the band's website. Go the flash option.

Buy Mama Auto Boss here or here or here. If you are in Seattle, WA on June 30th, go see them play a free show at the Sunset Tavern with KNK favorites, The High Violets (doors at 7pm).