Catalonia is new and improved
September 28, 2007

Love gone bad got the creative juices flowing for Catalonia guitarist Evan Rowe.

The result can be heard on the indie rock band's summer CD, an island is land, the group's first full-length effort.

Rowe calls it a "break-up album." He and former member Chris Horgan wrote the 11 tracks as they were each ending long-term romances.

Don't expect a weepfest, however. The rhythms and emotions are enough to keep people from reaching for the tissue box.

"It's up, it's down," Rowe said. "Each song is different. I'm proud of it. It's definitely the best thing we've ever done."

The group spent much of 2006 producing the disc with Rowe and Horgan on guitar, bassist Kevin Brauss and drummer Ed Malone. Brauss and Horgan, who also provided back-up on keyboards, have gone on to pursue separate solo careers in Los Angeles.

Broward County residents Rowe, Malone and their new bassist, Mike Johnson, plan on touring to promote the CD later this fall.

The trio have been performing together for the past year and are the latest lineup since Catalonia was formed in 2004. Rowe is the only member left from the original band, whose musical influences include Weezer, U2, R.E.M. and Radiohead.

Rowe's reading habits contributed to the group getting its name from the George Orwell book, Homage to Catalonia.

"He's a pretty influential, important person," said Rowe of the author. "And basically, I just liked the title."

For information on upcoming gigs, visit myspace.com/catalonia.

For more coverage of South Florida's local music scene, go to southflorida.metromix.com.

CATALONIA
An Island Is Land (Self-released)


Published: September 20, 2007
By Abel Folgar 

Catalonia falls into that deliciously saccharine category of local acts that includes, among others, Secret P.E. Club, Humbert, and Map of the Universe. Its base is solidly built on the sonic foundation of American garage, Britpop, psych-pop, and jazzy bossa nova. Operating as a foursome on this recording (currently a trio but just as full sounding), Catalonia's debut full-length, An Island Is Land, is a well-constructed 11-track effort covering the range of influences a young band will have. The Pixies, Elliot Smith, Hüsker Dü — it's all here — but so is Catalonia, and you'll get to know them well. The craftsmanship of its songs forego any thoughts of amateurism, as these guys handle their instruments and songwriting with authority. The opening digital attack of synthesizers guided by the drum cadence on "Symbiot" provides a succinct guideline for what follows before romping into the funkier tune "Free Ride." Three-quarters of the way in, Catalonia's hooks and melodies, supported by a tight rhythm section, command a slowing of the pace. Evan Rowe's vocals are carefree and have plenty of range. The closing trio of "Somebody Else's Dream," "How Will You Know?," and "Dispossessed" work well together as a finale, with the band pulling no punches on the last track. Chris Horgan's strings and keys add playful dimensions and ambience, while drummer Ed Malone gels well with Kevin Brauss, giving all tracks — get this — a danceable feeling. Yup, all that crazy talk of rock music you can dance to is true. Catalonia brings the sounds; you bring the ass to shake.