Glowing review of Neon Streets

An excerpt from the raving review of Neon Streets by Andrew Sutherland

“…The production is pitch perfect, featuring some subtle and beautiful playing by the members of string-rock quintet Darlingside. It takes a good ear to practice restraint, and this record is full of it. Just the right amount of percussion. A perfect string arrangement. The pulsing reversed kick drum and cello on “Thin Moon” sound like they came from another planet, but somehow feel absolutely necessary to play supporting cast to Caitlin’s haunting vocals.

And those vocals. Right up front, crystal clear. Seeing Caitlin play live is always an intimate experience, this is the next best thing. I’ve listened to this record on my commute into work, and it’s as if the traffic slows down around me. Her voice and lyrics quietly demand to be listened to.

There’s a moment at the end of the record, about two-thirds of the way through “Carried Away” that gets me every time. I’m not sure if I’m the only one hearing this, but I swear it’s there for a reason. Just after Caitlin finishes singing the second chorus, the guitar trails off like it’s going to end. Then, she digs hard into the strings and begins another verse, and you can hear a soft inhale of breath over the acoustic guitar. Almost as if to briefly center and prepare for the next section of the song, which tumbles out until the record ends with the line “Chords ring through marrow / sound shot like an arrow into bone / I’m home”.

Absolute, bonafide goosebumps. …”

Read the full review here