Eric PovishNew music is something that can slip into one of three categories: horrific, listenable or iPod worthy. Bottled By Fools is a three-piece acoustic, folk-like band from Pottstown, PA, which is certainly iPod worthy.
Created in 2004, Bottled By Fools began as a couple words jotted down on a notepad with a few accompanying guitar riffs that sounded nice to friendly ears. It soon turned into a full-time effort to spread good music.
Bottled By Fools is comprised of high school friends Josh Snell (guitar, vocals, accordion), Scott Langwig (guitar, keyboard) and Eric Povish (drums, bass).
Bottled By Fools debut album, “But Where Will I Sleep,” is a good foundation for a promising musical career. The 12 songs (one bonus track, plus hidden tracks at the end of “The Prince Hunts Foxes” and “Autumn Town”) are nicely orchestrated, and they don’t try to be anything they’re not. The music very closely parallels Elliott Smith and Bright Eyes with its slow, rhythmic guitar picking and poetic lyrics that are abound with metaphors.
Snell brings to the table a soothing, poetic voice that is surprisingly mature to hear from someone with so few years (high school graduate in June). It carries a maturity level only expected from industry veterans, and it demands to be listened to with a heavy conscience.
Stand out tracks include “Great Ships,” “Autumn Town,” “The Prince Hunts Foxes,” “Robert Wadlow” and “A Sight for Sore Eyes.”
“But Where Will I Sleep” was recorded at two different studios. The full band songs were recorded at The Welfare Lines Studio in Royersford, PA and acoustic tracks were laid down at Poncho’s Studio in Pottstown, PA. They are on the label Something Better Records with other up-and-coming local bands such as Red Eyes for Blue Skies, Stephen Haramis, Anselmo and the Distorted Organs (Snell and Povish’s side project) and Ayudar.
