Tell Me is the anticipated debut album from Chicago trio Catfish Haven. Armed only with the very basics (acoustic guitar, bass, and drums) the Catfish dynamic is something to behold--such a big sound for such a little band. This is not an artsy, precious and pretentious sort of album--oh no. Tell Me belongs in a smoky dive bar jukebox--an album made for dancing, swaying, and cold beer drinkin' on a hot summer night. Led by singer George Hunter, they lead us through ten tracks filled with gritty, bluesy rock ("Crazy for Leaving," with its riff-heavy melody, bouncing bass, and soulful backing vocals is insanely catchy) and earnest, downtempo ballads--the gorgeously smouldering "If I Was Right," for example-- chronicling lost love and the hope for redemption. Hunter's vocals are the highlight here--passionate, dirty and raspy all in the right spots, but most importantly, never sounding contrived. In fact, it's almost eerie how often he sounds as if he is directly and effortlessly channeling the ghosts of soul singers passed. In a time when the music scene is caught up in being quirky, Catfish Haven seemingly goes back to the basics. Rowdy, stately, engaging and refreshing, Tell Me is a fun (remember fun?) album, and a joy to hear.
Catfish Haven 
Tell Me is the anticipated debut album from Chicago trio Catfish Haven. Armed only with the very basics (acoustic guitar, bass, and drums) the Catfish dynamic is something to behold--such a big sound for such a little band. This is not an artsy, precious and pretentious sort of album--oh no. Tell Me belongs in a smoky dive bar jukebox--an album made for dancing, swaying, and cold beer drinkin' on a hot summer night. Led by singer George Hunter, they lead us through ten tracks filled with gritty, bluesy rock ("Crazy for Leaving," with its riff-heavy melody, bouncing bass, and soulful backing vocals is insanely catchy) and earnest, downtempo ballads--the gorgeously smouldering "If I Was Right," for example-- chronicling lost love and the hope for redemption. Hunter's vocals are the highlight here--passionate, dirty and raspy all in the right spots, but most importantly, never sounding contrived. In fact, it's almost eerie how often he sounds as if he is directly and effortlessly channeling the ghosts of soul singers passed. In a time when the music scene is caught up in being quirky, Catfish Haven seemingly goes back to the basics. Rowdy, stately, engaging and refreshing, Tell Me is a 
