two loons for tea : looking for landmarks

Looking For Landmarks

REVIEWS:

"Two Loons for Tea could open for Tricky or Willie Nelson and chances are they'd win over either audience."
- Lollipop Magazine

"No other group is doing what Two Loons is doing... exemplifies the way modern music ought to be played."
- Yale Daily News

"All that can be sensual, mysterious, and sexy about pop music is found in this album... expertly executed... flawless, organic production. And despite the album's smarts and complexity it's as accessible as anything on the radio today... Pop hasn't seen anything this sophisticated since The Police's 'Synchronicity'".
- Amazon.com

"This is a top-quality band... I don't know why Two Loons shouldn't be huge... Each song is a carefully constructed landscape of ethereal, slightly jazzy music and chanteuse vocals. With lesser bands this can lead to a contrived atmosphere, but it works to a 'tea' here. There's no real point in talking about individual tracks; the album works best as a whole, as the group leads you from place to place. 'Looking for Landmarks' is like a journey to outer space, and it's easy to lose yourself in their unique world."
- Shotgun Reviews

"The best way to describe the Seattle duo, Two Loons for Tea, is hypnotic. Their uniquely smooth and meaningful sound is truly a fresh breath of air. They have the edgy sound of rock band but still hold on to its "chill" factor, that puts it into the same category of bands like Radiohead and Blur. This band takes a leap of faith, hoping that their audience is ready to drop the current empty pop sound for a return to a more robust musical style with layers of sound and introspective lyrics. Each song has tastes of jazz, rock and pure poetry that all mixes to create a strangely great new sound. "Looking for Landmarks," their current album, demands to be listened to with songs such as "Blue Suit" and their title track "Landmarks." Each song, with distinct lyrical value, creates a "chill" sound. The listener is drawn deeper and deeper into the album as it progresses, seemingly because of both the musical depth and the ability of the lyrics to fit each and every person... Two Loons for Tea have undeniable poetic value and musical talent. Do yourself a favor and take a listen to this powerful band..."
- Ventura College Press, Ventura, CA

"...a cinematic, ethereal and sensual musical journey."
- Music Connection, Los Angeles

"...beautifully crafted, one of the most ambitious productions I've heard in awhile, and the finest things here are beguilingly dreamy, cooly seductive and undeniably lovely."
- Dream Magazine

"...Two Loons For Tea music takes on a magic trip hop, electronica, alternative pop, quality that is not easy to describe. Their seducing hypnotic blend of melodic lyrics and sounds embraces the listener's soul and holds on tight. Sarah Scott's haunting vocals and Jonathan Kochmer's weaving guitar & effects take you on a unique mystical adventure... The Title cut of the new CD "Looking For Landmarks" is a delightful song which certainly merits tons of radio play."
- (submitted by visitor fromMusic4Site)

"...a paragon of maturity in a world of live-for-the-moment pop songsters... Rock takes a chill pill & puts on its thinking cap."
- Live365.com

"The Seattle duo of guitarist Jonathan Kochmer and vocalist Sarah Scott otherwise known as Two Loons for Tea gathered another stellar group of musicians for thier sophomore release. Once again working with musicans whose credits include King Crimson, Brian Eno, Elton John and Galactic, Two Loons' 'Looking for Landmarks' is another pristine and intricate collection of soulful alternative rock. The songwriting, while melodic and memorable, also addresses a wide array of musical styles from ambient to funk. Scott's clear voice often sounds something like The Sundays' Harriet Wheeler on a serious Marvin Gaye jag. Complimenting this is Kochmer's guitar and keyboards which have as much in common with Sam Prekop as The Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie. All in all, Landmarks pushes the boundaries of adult-alternative pop." - All Music Guide

"The title track 'Looking for Landmarks' is soothing and makes me want to close my eyes and slow dance while holding a martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other... 'Blue Suit' stands out not only because it's a little different from others on the disc but it's also a very catchy 'radio friendly' song...This is great mood music, if the mood you're trying to set is swoonful and sexy..."
- Collected Sounds

"...as moody as it is sweet and as sexy as it is delicate... If you've been looking for something that will put some magic in the room (and in your heart) we recommend you drink this special blend of Tea."
-Girlmedia

"The second album from Seattle duo Jonathan Kochmer (guitar) and Sarah Scott (vocals) is a subtle delight, with 11 tracks of the delicately textured, atmospheric pop for which Two Loons for Tea has become known. Why they aren't more known is a mystery; with well-crafted, professionally performed songs and a host of guest musicians (including Brad Houser, Matt Chamberlain, Skerik, and Eyvind Kang), Two Loons for Tea have created a quietly stunning CD. The first track, "Blue Suit," is somewhat more energetic than their first self-titled CD might lead one to expect, and it sets the tone for the remainder of the album. While "Dying for Love" has a singer-songwriter sort of feel (you know what I mean), it's also got a highly danceable beat. "She's Not Worth the Worry" is a fairly typical example of what this duo does best: beginning with percussion, it adds layers of instrumentation as the song continues. "Shape of Strange" begins similarly, but goes on to establish a jazzier presence. That's the other thing about Two Loons for Tea; as soon as you think you've got a handle on them, they do something to surprise you. ."
-Cathy Dyer, The Tablet Magazine

Layered with sound, powerfully guitar-based, and bound together with Sarah Scott's yearning raspy-honey voice, this album is a wonder, a sophomore album that plays on all the strengths of their first album. The tunes and lyrics are catchy; the production is rich but never cluttered. An album to listen to obsessively.

These songs are beautiful, memorable, earthy, light and dark and all colours, and they'll take you places as you listen. These songs are edgy and familiar, carefully constructed and layered with sound and yet still fresh and alive with a sense that they haven't been worked to death and allow for serendipity and the delights of invention.

I was picking lavendar blossoms when I listened to this disc for the first time, which somehow seemed appropriate--something familiar and yet powerfully fresh and spicy. This is clearly the next step in their musical journey....I know that I'll be able to play this one as much and as obsessively as their first--if not more.
- The Ectophile's Guide to Good Music