The Douglas Fir takes influence from the classic cool bands that came before them. Hushing choruses that are chilling and dramatic, and lyrical dispositions with a poetic flair define their glossy, melancholy dream pop sound. It's surely reminiscent of the music made popular on college radio throughout the 1980s and singer/songwriter Jay Walsh casts an intoxicating appeal. Formed in 1997 in their native Boston, Walsh and bandmates John Michael (drums) and Patrick Cooley (bass) came together with an appreciation for bands such as the Church and the Call. Singles, such as "Unwelcome" and "Day Is Done," were thick and poppy, but darkly rich with Walsh's budding work as a passionate writer. The debut album My Favorite Thing was issued in 2000 and the Douglas Fir was a buzz around Boston. That same year, they were awarded Best New Act in the celebrated Boston Phoenix 2000 Music Poll. The Vinyl Singles Archive, which was named for Walsh's appreciation of the record, appeared in 2001. ~ MacKenzie Wilson