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cloudeater / Press

“Cloudeater stands at a crossroads where trip-hop and post-industrial rock converge with blue-eyed soul. As unnatural (and uninteresting) as that may seem on paper, the Atlanta five-piece has fostered a unexpectedly compelling sound with its second full-length, Sun and Sidearm. There's even a potential hit brewing here with "Hardly Wait" as narcotic, techno-driven bass throbs and monster melodies grumble and swoon. It's a sound that isn't easily characterized, but there's a definite edge to the album's concise, three-minute-plus numbers that place Cloudeater in a narrow margin of post-'90s electronic rock acts that have a grasp on its aesthetic and are able to give it an edge. That aesthetic isn't fully realized yet, but songs such as "Blurry Wisdom," "The Dive" and "Nothing Critical" hit pretty close to the mark and underscore the kind of depth and musical ideals that define Cloudeater's sound and vision, and it's entrancing to watch it all take shape. (4 out of 5 stars)”

"CLOUDEATER broke onto the scene in 2009, rising from depths of Atlanta’s musical underground to open for big names like N.E.R.D. and Girl Talk. Well, fast forward a little bit and the five-piece band have an LP, Sun and Sidearm, to their name and a sound that cuts through the bullshit. Take “The Dive” for example, a lesser-hyped track from the LP. The first listen caught my attention, but it was not until the fourth and fifth listens that CLOUDEATER’s subtly heavy (paradox much?) progressions wrapped themselves around me. The vocals remind me of Thom Yorke a bit, which makes sense considering the ensemble cites Radiohead as a major influence. I don’t know about you, but they are officially on my radar."

“Cloudeater layers so many levels of grit, beauty and tragedy on this record that it could have been the moody soundtrack to my youth in Atlanta. Subtle R&B guitar parts get blended into Britpop-esque vocals and bounced off distorted drum parts and fuzzy bass. The whole vibe sounds like an electro band playing songs with real instruments, lending an organic, rock and roll vibe to their foundation that is otherwise rhythm and blues. The songs are upbeat and rhythmic enough to bob your head to and mellow enough to put on when you are climbing into bed at night. While some of the musical parts may sound broken and jarring individually, when everything is put together and taken in context, it’s nothing short of the beauty and elegance of a symphony. There’s a filter of peace and serenity to the entire effort that’s like the gloom of a rainy day descending on the broken dust and rubble of the inner city.”

“Once in a blue moon, a band comes along that breaks through the stereotypes that come with being creators, and open up the world’s eyes to something different.”

“They’re incredibly solid, studio-savvy musicians whose sound is emblematic of a new style of eclectic record-makers who are happy to take inspiration for a compelling line or interesting texture, wherever it may come from.”