The title track to this debut by Seattle’s Hey Marseilles quickly points to the band’s readymade audience: fans of the Decemberists or Villagers will waste no time getting out their muddy, hobnailed boots to kick up a little floor dust doing the indie-shuffle version of a two-step. With sweet and swaggering violins and cellos, perky accordian and rollicking piano, this seven-piece outfit makes music fit for a soundtrack to a summer’s day in the country. When they slow the tempo down and shift to minor keys, To Travels & Trunks makes even more sense with a hot toddy in front of a winter fire. Songs like “You Will Do For Now” and “Someone to Love,” stripped down to their naked, acoustic core, and rousing stompers like “Hold the Morning” and “Rio” embody the stylistic bookends of To Travels. In between, the band’s artful blend of orchestral pop and organic folk, dressed with Matt Bishop’s warm vocals, is richly rewarding.
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