UPDATE: 8/09/04

People You Meet as a band no longer exists; for various reasons, the band decided to close down. Stay tuned to Looking Closer, as it seems almost inevitable that Nathan Partain will return with new work... either solo or with some other combination. The album, however, remains stellar, and is still available. Contact Jeffrey Overstreet for more information.

Recommended In-Depth Review: Dallas Music Guide

I am thrilled and astonished to have found a fantastic new album from a band right in my own backyard. Here in Seattle there is a new outfit called People You Meet. They are not yet signed to a label, but their first record is as promising and exciting a band debut as I have heard in a long time. Imagine if Pavement or Pedro the Lion went into a Sgt. Pepper mode... add touches of Beach Boys, U2, and Elliott Smith.

Nathan Partain's lyrics reflect heavy spiritual questions, and he voices them through intriguing, cryptic lyrics and storytelling that is striking and raw. His voice reminds me at times of Elliott Smith and Joseph Arthur, but he's got more guts as a vocalist than either of them. (The second track "110" features some truly freaked-out "singing".)

It is hard to describe this experimental, energetic, reckless record. The music is the brainchild... more like brainstorm ... of Partain and his guitarist/engineer Joel Garies. With help from Rick Jensen, they have mixed an album full of surprises. The mastering was done by Richard Dodd, who has mixed, mastered, produced, and played alongside such artists as Johnny Cash, Ashley Cleveland, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, George Harrison, Green Day, Maria McKee, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Wilco, and many others.

Put simply, the record rocks. It's one of the strongest things I've heard all year. I'll have a full review up soon.

The band is just getting their operation up and running, but you can order the album via their website: http://www.peopleyoumeet.net. (The album's only $13.50, and that includes shipping.) You can be one of the first "in the know" on these guys.