Farewell Milwaukee

 On May 17th, Minneapolis based Farewell Milwaukee released their sophomore album, When It Sinks In.  Formed in 2008, Farewell Milwaukee has charted a course down familiar paths blazed by folks like Jackson Browne, Ryan Adams and the Jayhawks; all focused on the power of honest, confessional songwriting with no pretense or ulterior motives.    Every winter Ben Lubeck (principal songwriter and lead singer) holes himself up in his lakeside home with the goal of writing as many songs as he can.  The winter of 2009/2010 provided no reprieve from brutally cold ice and snow but Lubeck’s writing focused on warmth, hope and love.  When Spring broke Farewell Milwaukee narrowed down Lubeck’s writings, creating When It Sinks In.   Recorded in Nashville with producer/engineer Brad Bivens (Kings of Leon, Cold War Kids, Norah Jones), the album finds Farewell Milwaukee transitioning from the heavier subject material of their first album Autumn Rest Easy to a joyful exploration of love in all its forms.   Sonically, When It Sinks In is full of rich acoustic work with slow burners, like the title track as well as rough-and-tumble rockers, such as “Ain’t No Rules”.  The opener “The Wallpaper’s Gonna Swallow You Whole” is a rousing start fueled by keys and the group’s strong use of four vocalists.  The heart of the album is reached on the closing track, “Lovable/Kind” providing the perfect synopsis of the unabashed hope you’ll find throughout When It Sinks In.   All five members of Farewell Milwaukee make no attempt to conceal their pride for their respective hometowns in the Midwest and the place they now call home, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.  Farewell Milwaukee holds value in connecting with the people and the landscape that produces such diverse talents as Bob Dylan and Prince.  This Midwestern identity makes When It Sinks In the perfect accompaniment on a trek west to the Black Hills or the ideal jukebox pick at the backroads bar you would find along the way.     Farewell Milwaukee is: Ben Lubeck: Vocals, Guitar Aaron Markson: Lead Guitar, Background Vocals Adam Lamoureux: Keyboards, Background Vocals Brad Fox: Drums, Percussion Kyle Magstadt: Bass, Background Vocals