Sodastream

Resembling a softer, somber Belle & Sebastian, Sodastream emerged from Melbourne, Australia, in the late '90s. Centering around Karl Smith (guitar, piano, harmonica, vocals) and Pete Cohen (bass, musical saw, backing vocals), Sodastream has issued recordings on a variety of respected labels, including Tugboat (part of Rough Trade) and Trifekta. The first recording effort arrived with the Enjoy EP in 1997, quickly followed by another EP, Practical Footwear, a year later. The first full-length came in 2000 as Looks Like a Russian, while the band toured Europe. Sodastream stayed busy with The Hill for Company (2001), A Minor Revival (2003), the Take Me with You When You Go EP (2005), and Reservations (2006), as well as additional European tours and their first tour of the U.S. in 2004. Throughout its many touring dates, the duo has shared the stage with Low, the Mountain Goats, Yo La Tengo, and Lambchop. ~ Kenyon Hopkin, All Music Guide