How I fell in love with Tanakh.

It's 7:20 on a Monday evening, and I'm running late... as usual. I finally make it into my favorite local frozen margarita spot, El Sombrero, where I am greeted by quite possibly the friendliest band I have ever had the pleasure of sharing a pitcher of margs with. We talk. We talk about music. We talk about what I do, and how they do what they do. We then talk about green tomato pie, noodling, and the lack of grits here and there. It turns out that although they come from Italy, the lead singer and songwriter, Jesse Poe, is a former southerner like myself. Talk about an instant bonder.

Most bands would just mail you a copy of their album to review. Tanakh, on the other hand, were generous enough to meet with me personally for the exchange. It's almost symbolic of dropping your baby off at the sitter's for them to watch. And I will tell you honestly... 'Ardent Fevers' is the most beautiful baby I've ever sat. I feel intoxicated by this album, even still after the margaritas are well worn off. It's like laying in a hammock, mid-spring day on the countryside, straw hat and hound dog included. There are flowers abloom all around and a perfectly cool breeze flowing over your face.

The influences and talents behind this band are extraordinary, and I only see it getting better from here. Already described as magic and art, it's rare to find music like this that really touches you. And it's even more rare that the music touches all those it should. But I'm not doing them any justice here, so just give it a listen yourself:

Drink To Sher
+ More tracks on Myspace

And hey, if you like it and you're in one of these areas, why not make it to one of their shows while you can?

4/21/06 8:00P: TERRASTOCK 6 - Providence, RI
4/24/06 8:00P: The Cake Shop - NYC, NY
4/26/06 8:00P: PA's Lounge - Sommerville, MA
4/27/06 8:00P: Mezzanotte Lounge - Syracuse, NY
4/28/06 8:00P: Mohawk Place - Buffalo, NY
4/29/06 8:00P: Drake Hotel - Toronto
4/30/06 7:00P: Big Car - Indianapolis, IN
5/02/06 8:00P: Lager House - Detroit, MI
5/03/06 9:30P: THE EMPTY BOTTLE - Chicago, IL
5/04/06 8:00P: Land Locked - Bloomington, IN
5/05/06 8:00P: Huntington Youth Art & Music - Huntington, WV
5/06/06 10:00P: Velvet Lounge - Washington, DC
5/07/06 8:00P: KNITTING FACTORY - NYC, NY

Hope to see some of you at the NYC shows.

- LB