Suzy Callahan
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Folky pop
Status:
Most recent release, Not Exactly Sad (2020)
See also:
Suzy Callahan's bandcamp pageThe Ectophiles' Guide's entry for her previous band, Devils Wielding Scimitars
Comparisons:
Juliana Hatfield, Aimee Mann, Michelle Malone
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Though Suzy Callahan's vocals are very Natalie Merchant-esque, her style emphasizes the folkier side of pop a little more, and her lyrics are delightfully clever. Fans of folk-flavoured pop should definitely check her out. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)The sound is distant from Devils Wielding Scimitars's final album III. If it weren't for the Voice, Devils Wielding Scimitars wouldn't have entered my head at all. (rjk1@cs.wustl.edu)
Recommended first album:
Freedom Party for Insects
Recordings:
- happier than everybody else (2005)
- Pulling All the Rind off (2006)
- Freedom Party for Insects (2007)
- My Own Personal Watermelon (2008)
- Big Helpless Sleep (2010)
- Real (2011)
- Worry Dolls (Secret Garden remix) (EP, 2015)
- See Through (2016)
- Magic (2018)
- Not Exactly Sad (2020)
happier than everybody else (2005)
Release info:
2006—Scared Guy Music—SGM-018
Availability:
See Suzy Callahan's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Suzy Callahan—vocals, guitar
Guest artists:
Scott Tyburski—additional instruments
Produced by:
Scott Tyburski
Comments:
Stripped-down folk-pop from the former singer for Devils Wielding Scimitars. Clever lyrics. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Freedom Party for Insects
Release info:
2007—Scared Guy Music
Availability:
See Suzy Callahan's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Suzy Callahan—vocals, guitar, flute
Guest artists:
Scott Tyburski—guitar, bass, drums, mellotron
Jim McCarty—drums (3)
Comments:
Suzy Callahan continues her solo career with smart, affecting songs in a folky style. She is a great but understated singer and she's just as good as Aimee Mann if lesser known. "Hard on us" lacks self-pity despite being about a hard life, Callahan's voice is as clear as a bell. "God of heartache" deals with lack of faith but never loses its bright melody. "Mr Right" is a good song and the melody is soft and the words honest. This is a great little album. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
My Own Personal Watermelon
Release info:
2008—Scared Guy Music
Availability:
See Suzy Callahan's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Suzy Callahan—vocals, guitar
Guest artists:
Scott Tyburski—additional instruments, beat programming
Kevin Morales—drums (8)
Cory Tyburski—loop (7)
Produced by:
Comments:
Stripped down and haunting from the starting track, "Her Face in My Place". I'm not sure how she can make a song about a personal watermelon melancholy, but she does, and it's charming. The only track that falls flat for me here is "Piece of My Heart". "Muscovy Mine" takes a chance with starting off somewhat murky in tone, but to my ears transcends that beautifully by playing against that later in the song. Overall a fine new collection. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Thanks to Sophia Gurley and Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.
