YELLO ECHO Is a band that I discovered at Khon's Wine, Darts,Coffee and Art one night when I was just stopping in for some coffee. As I was walking to the bar from my car I could hear lead singer Crystal Toliver's voice as it migrated across the the parking lot into my ears and every corner of mid-town. A few things went through my head. Is anyone else hearing this? Is that coming from Khon's jukebox? That's really cool! Who is this?

I stepped closer only to realized it was a live band, which to me was the best answer to all the thoughts that had been running through my head, and that the same person singing was playing bass guitar. Everyone in the room was looking directly at her as she sang from the bottom of her soul.
I could not break away from her singing until the song ended, it had me bewitched. When I finnally broke free I ordered my coffee and found a seat.

As I sipped my coffee, I watched with delight as their drummer Chris Basset kept the cadence and maintained the energy at a perfect level for the small room the band was playing. He was very precise and I could tell by his performance that he really loves playing the drums. He is quite entertaining to watch as he keeps the beat in check. His perfect timing is a great foundation for such a groovy band.

It didn't take very long to realize that groove was pretty much what YELLO ECHO was all about, groove, soul, and power.

Between Crystal and Chris there is plenty to like about YELLO ECHO, but there is one more member, Mani Latifi Nezami on guitar. His playing reminded me a lot of Stephen Malkmus of Pavement and his stage presence reminded me strangely enough of Charlie Watt, languid but happy, silent but tumultuous. With Mani the package was complete.

I enjoyed the rest of the set with everyone else there. The band had the entire place at attention until the last note rang through the air and into the cosmos.

After the show I purchased a CD from the band and took it home to give a listen. The album consist of eleven songs all written by YELLO ECHO and is called INTRODUCING YELLO ECHO .

Drum roll please...so the album starts with a drum roll and then into the infectious groove of IRREGULAR LOVE. Crystal sings “The way your lips taste, The way your hips sway” and the temperature in the room goes up a few degrees. The next track THE COLOR RED starts with a little Surf guitar lick and a cheer/ chant and hand claps so everyone can clap along and sing. Very catchy.

Every track is just as good if not better than the last. Some of the songs that really stick out to me are OLD SCHOOL, AMERICAN DISEASE, and READY TO RUN.

OLD SCHOOL is a great party song which claims YELLO ECHO need to be on your radio, very clever self promotion, which I think is something every good bands should do more of.

AMERICAN DISEASE is an homage to music of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE with powerful political lyrics and clever samples.

READY TO RUN is YELLO ECHO doing some straight forward moderate rock. The entire CD is fun and a great listen, all of the tracks have their own sound and are unique in their own right, those are just my favorite tracks.

YELLO ECHO is be a band that if I see them on a bill I will make it to the show. I have heard rumors of a movie they might be making with ELECT TRICK CITY, one of my favorite bands in the world. The band has been busy and their hard work makes them a good thing to go see. Below there will be a couple of links so you can check them out. Go to a show and get their CD INTRODUCING YELLO ECHO. Then YELLO ECHO can be on your radio. 1,2,3,4 prepare for revolution knocking at your door.