Album Notes

Reviews of The Morning Line’s demo ep:
"This almost-supergroup doesn't sound too much like any of the member's previous bands. The Morning Line moves away from all of that into spacious and melodic alt-country moodiness. The vocals sometimes traffic in a Dharma Bums smoothness, and some songs hold up a soft sad hand towards early American Music Club. But these boys rock a little harder, with great guitar work and steady drums that catch on a few nice stop start rhythms. I want to hear more." – Big Takeover

The Morning Line “pops and shines like a mournful, West Coast Luna, fronted by a ragged, smoky Elvis Costello type.” -- East Bay Express

"Staten Island. . . sounds like it would have been one of the best songs on an album like, say, REM's 'Fables Of The Reconstruction' or The Windbreakers 'Run.' VERY highly recommended." -- Bruce Brodeen, Not Lame


Stay My Satellite, the band’s first full-length, is a variety show. From its indie fidgets and power-pop sing-alongs, to singer-songwriter turns and roots rock riffing, the album covers a lot of ground.

But it stays always recognizable, resting on plaintive singing, shimmering guitars, and assertive drums. The lyrics often cover familiar boy-loses-girl territory, but also recall other losses (and occasional victories) in decaying cities, in games of chance, in attempts to make it in the real world.

In the years since his first album was released, Stephen Smith has seen many folks come and go. With Salem 66, God’s Eye, and Green Magnet School, he recorded for labels like Sub Pop, Homestead, and Domino. He has shared stages with Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr. and innumerable others. Don't get the wrong idea, though - Stay My Satellite is not a backwards-looking record. While it doesn't forget the Nineties, it knows that life - and music - have gone on. The album fits nicely beneath indie pop’s big tent.

With the winding single note lines of David Knupp (from Joe Buck), and the drumming of David Shollenbarger (who played with Agent Orange), the record has the perfect additions to a set of memorable songs.