Review Revue: Downy Mildew - Broomtree

This is one of those records where reading the DJ reviews from 1987 really makes me want to hear the album (without having to do anything so crazy as, say, buy it on iTunes or Amazon, cheapskate and preferrer-of-physical-media that I am). A lot of tantalizing phrases and references get thrown around here, and you can easily sense that special feeling of having discovered a new band you love that nobody else knows about (especially those lame-os over at KJET, apparently). As I often find myself saying in these pieces, I'd never heard of this band before pulling this record off the shelves, but I have the feeling that I could easily fall in love with them.

All I really know about the band Downy Mildew is what you could easily dig up yourself with a quick internet search (as long as you managed to find references to the band rather than the actual mildew): They're from the lovely town of San Luis Obispo, they released a handful of albums and a couple EPs, with some personnel changes, between 1986 and 1994, and then they split up. No idea what any of the members are up to; maybe they'll stumble across this post and update us? Hey Jenny Homer, Charlie Baldonado, other guys, what have you been up to?

"Texas Hotel is also the label of Henry Rollins, but this is way different - worlds away. It's not heavy for one, but that's not to say it's without mood + feeling because there is plenty of that. This band has the ability to draw you into their sound the same way that the Cocteau Twins do only Downy Mildew does it with a sometimes tense rock sound. 1-3, 2-2, + 2-5 are basically pop songs that will no doubt remind you of any number of thoughtful English pop bands. A candidate for H."

"This record sorta bridges the gap between 10,000 Maniacs + the artists on 4AD."

"Beautiful record. This one really pulls me in with its emotional wallop!!"

"Boy, is this a wonderful record! Soaring vocals, clear crisp guitars, and much more!"

"The Kitchen is a fantastic song. I'm glad KJET doesn't play it cuz that says a lot about them."