Cadallaca, in the same vein as fellow Pacific Northwesterners Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney, writes bare-bones pop songs using a Farfisa organ, electric guitar and a simple drum kit. Their debut, Introducing Cadallaca — ten short bursts of raw grrrl power — shows the band is capable of rocking out on tracks like “June-n-July” and “Two Beers Later.” Cadallaca also demonstrates a softer side on the R.E.M.-ish “Pocket Games” and “Winter Storm ’98.” Each song manages to find a haunting, organ-driven groove despite the lack of bass, while the folksy elements entice through cleverly intertwined vocals. The three members work in other bands: Sara Dougher plays organ in the Crabs, Corin Tucker plays guitar and sings in the currently hot Sleater-Kinney, and oddly named sts plays in the Lookers. Overall, the side project lacks consistency, but Introducing Cadallaca gives hints of what could be if the trio sticks together. – Matthew Hilburn
more »