Rotary Downs: 'Sing Like the Sun'

The New Orleans rock group Rotary Downs

Chained to the Chariot

September 7, 2007 - The New Orleans rock group Rotary Downs has released a stunning collection of psychedelic art pop songs that plays like a brilliant mashup of Neutral Milk Hotel and Odelay-era Beck. Chained to the Chariot is a beautifully mixed album with incredibly catchy hooks and infectious melodies that roll around in your head and leave you humming long after hearing them.

Rotary Downs features James Marler on lead vocals and guitar, Chris Colombo on lead guitar, Jason Rhein on bass and vocals, Zack Smith on drums, and Cory Shultz on trumpet, keys and guitar.

Rotary Downs nearly lost their master recordings for Chained to the Chariot to hurricane Katrina. They were able to rescue the original tapes and relocated to Lafayette where the album was completed. The CD includes three tracks inspired by Katrina and its aftermath: one about staying in the city, one about leaving, and one about returning home.

Chained to the Chariot follows three previous releases: the Quitters EP in 2004, Long After the Thrill in 2003, and their self-titled debut in 2001.