We Were Mixed Up
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“…Canasta’s strength has been mixing genres, ever so slightly, to keep it unpredictable… The band’s impressive orchestral pop, which really could catch on at any moment in a big, big way, will not cease in its power–listening to We Were Set Up again for the first time in a long while, I can’t believe I was able to put it down in the first place.”
— New City
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“…a showcase of excellent orch-pop… classic vocals…”
Time Out Chicago
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“…a favorite of the Chicago music community… lush textures and eclectic arrangements…”
— The Michigan Daily
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“Canasta has slowly made a name for itself in recent years, thanks to its inventive arrangements… (the band) has separated itself by layering its sounds while retaining remarkable catchiness… Canasta looks primed for a considerable breakthrough.”
— NPR’s “World Cafe”
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“Canasta’s We Were Set Up is a brilliant collection of intelligent, compelling, ultra-melodic orchestral-pop songs. After dropping it into my stereo for the first spin, it was not removed for the next three months… every time I think I have dissected the album from top to bottom I find something new to love about it… My biggest fear for the band is that they stay a cult fave and miss out on the breakout success many bands with far less talent have received as of late… it would be a tragedy.”
— Breakthru Radio
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“…clicking on Canasta’s picture was probably the best decision I’ve made… Lead vocalist Matt Priest has an incredible range and I can’t seem to pin down whether I think he sounds like Colin Meloy, Sufjan Stevens, or Freddy Mercury because he adapts his voice so uniquely to each song that it seems to always be changing… The fact that there’s just so much going on that you’re still hearing something new on the fourth listen is really impressive to me… These guys are unsigned by the way, so to any labels reading this: What are you waiting for?!”
— Skatterbrain.org
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