Ami Saraiya w/ Hayward Williams- $6

"Ami Saraiya has one of those voices that gives you a bit of pause when you first hear it because it seems that so few vocalists truly have that special something that can turn heads on their own." - Almost Cool

One can never decide if Ami Saraiya-s songs are sad or not. If so, it-s a living sadness, vibrant, flushed with heart-stuff, anger and hopefulness. Archaeologist is a collection of half heard stories, ghost myths, and magical realism. As with Saraiya's other work, there has always been the voice- a beautiful instrument of power, soul and infinite sadness. It's hard to tie her to to one genre of music. For her debut as a solo artist, Saraiya shows new depth with dark gypsy waltzes (featuring herself on accordion), chamber-ish pop (with string arrangements by Mark Messing of Mucca Pazza), and a touch of Bollywood cheekiness. Archaeologist is Saraiya taking those seemingly disparate elements and forging a new style that is entirely her own.

"If you took Billie Holiday, added a little Lhasa, some Bjork, and a smattering of Tom Waits, you'd have a vague idea of what Ami's voice sounds like. It's full-bodied, playful, edgy and lithe; it roars, growls, belts, thrashes, and purrs... continually rousing the ears with its contortionist capabilities." - 75 or Less

Ms. Saraiya and band will be traveling from Chicago to celebrate the Madison debut of her new CD "Archaeologist."

"Hayward Williams' earnestly jaunty folk-rock might seem anachronistic in the prevailing musical atmosphere of self-conscious irony, but his combination of melody, restraint, and unabashed enthusiasm saves the day. Williams also boasts a voice that sounds several decades older than he actually is, lending his songs of love and loss a gravity they might not otherwise possess." - The Onion

Ahhh, where to start? The exquisite gruffness of a manly voice that belies the strip of a lad who appears on the photographs? The moving, intelligent storytelling, from which "Doctors" and "Problems with Hemingway" stand out --- but only just - from the crowd? Or the new-alt-country-blues (and will you forgive me that phrase) of the sound, put to beautiful use on 'Devil's Lament'? In truth, its hard to put it into words; this is a fantastic record, one that's a treat from start to finish. On first listen, the cover of Thunder Road strikes a jarring note; when your songs are as good as Hayward's there seems no need to walk in another's shoes, but several goes later and it melds in seamlessly. You'll like this." - Americana UK