Cavalry Thrills currently don't have any releases to review so in the mean time you can check out what people have said about Phoebe Quest's The Windward Sound.

Erasing Clouds

Phoebe Quest sound like California. There's a laidback coolness about their approach o pop-rock which reminds me of their home state. Their sound is melodic, bright yet low-key, like the Elephant 6 crowd if they spent more time hanging out at the beach. They have a lush sound, too, with all sorts of instruments, the majority of them played by Zachary Stanley: guitars, mandolin, bass, drums, piano, synths, tambourine, glockenspiel, etc. They also have a starry-eyed concern with the universe, with things beyond the material and with forces of nature like gravity and time (the latter interest demonstrated on songs like "Minutes and Seconds" and "The First Phase at High Noon"). That sense of wonder fits the jazzy, melodic pop sound in a comfortable way, making you feel at home, like you could slip into the music and take your seat next to Phoebe Quest on the beach. --dave heaton

Delusions of Adequacy 6/4/02

Phoebe Quest is the project of ex-Fairways drummer Zachary Stanley, who plays most of the instruments here and clearly shows he can front his own band. For the most part light, snappy pop, the songs on The Windward Sound are pristine, lighthearted, and slightly folky in form while possessing a pleasant 80s sensibility.

The style of pop may not be unique, but Stanley adds some very unique touches to his music. One moment a mandolin spices up the pleasant guitar, while horns come in to give a psychedelic flare to others. His voice, while not the strongest I've heard, suits the music nicely, and he doesn't put it forward too much, allowing the music to be the key focus. The music is excellent, and Stanely especially shines on the sometimes jangly guitar work that gives these songs a more indie rock feel.

The opener, "Minutes and Seconds," mixes in some nice horns to fill out the sound. Centered around a crisp guitar line and a jazzy beat, the song sets the stage nicely for pristine, upbeat pop. "Deadly Dotti" is ultra-cute, using hand-clap beats and head-bobbing keyboard for a retro-pop bounce. "The First Phase at High Noon" uses some odd echo effects to the vocals, which doesn't really work well, and the song seems to have something of a trippy quality. But the effect works on the more up-tempo "Echelon Form," which is a very light, jangly pop tune. "Crooked Rhythm" is a decidedly folky pop tune with little flares of synths and electric guitar to spice up that predominantly acoustic guitar and voice approach. "Jet Set on a Bike" closes things off with more emphasis on rhythm - mostly light and bouncy - and some jangly guitar and keyboard bits as well that's really quite spiffy.

More pleasant pop from Shelflife, this is Phoebe Quest's first release, and it's extremely nice. Charming and sweet, these two-and-a-half-minute pop songs are quite enjoyable. Even if you won't be humming them later, they're fine summer mindless fare. -- Jeff

Tasty Ezine 1/2002

Oh happy day. Another delicious little package from Shelflife Records, unfortunately this time without press releases. But have no fear!

First we have this mini-album from Phoebe Quest - seemingly a four-piece, none of whom are called Phoebe Quest. But that hasn't made this maudlin lot downhearted - or rather it has. The Windward Sound is an interesting introspective min-album, with almost Smithsian guitar pickings on some tracks and lamenting bossa nova elsewhere. However, dull it is not, nor depressing, nor anything approaching turnoffable, but for those who've been up all night sucking fizzy sweets, well, this won't exactly keep your pulse racing. But for those who like to be tucked up early every night with nothing for company but a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary - then please step this way - you won't be disappointed."