I absolutely love SLGTM. When I recently learned that I didn’t get my dream job in Ann Arbor, I found consolation in the fact that SLGTM had moved out of the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest — sure, the job was impetus enough for me to move back to the Midwest, but I dreamed of bumping into Fred Thomas in Encore Records or at some house show. The winsome pop of SLGTM actually makes me want to dance — and we all know well that indie kids are seldom moved to dance. SLGTM are like Motown for the indie set.

SLGTM’s move from Michigan to Portland is not just a spatial one. As evidenced on Cold Color, an e.p. released in anticipation of the band’s K Records debut later this year, there is also a move away from the Motown Sound. Cold Color, is …. well, kinda cold — perhaps, “subtle” is a better adjective. The music is stark, the vocals are often hushed, found sounds and disembodied voices weave in and out, guitars drone. It is downright haunting at times.

Different…but good, really good.