Album Notes

Flaming oceans. Giant lizards tearing cities down. Cartoon superheroes. Where are you?

You are “In the Skyline,” under the spell of the much anticipated full-length album from Seattle-based singer/songwriter Andrea Wittgens. “In The Skyline,” is a 12-song ode to escapism, a vividly spun world where reality meets fantasy.

WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING ABOUT "In The Skyline"

"With musical compositions that combine the energy of early punk with the slickness of modern pop, she creates music that is perfect for now... Multiple time signatures, key changes and occasionally dense orchestrations make each song an aural journey rather than merely another pop ditty... It accomplishes something few contemporary albums achieve - a cohesive and unique musical statement that defies labels and simple descriptions." -- Vintage Guitar Magazine, August 2009

"A silver tongue rides a voice that flitters with the wonderful unpredictability of a butterfly and the laser precision of, well, a laser…this imaginative pop maestro’s delivery and message are so delightfully refreshing that it’s hard to remember she’s working from the pop music playbook." --Shawn Telford, Seattle Sound Magazine

“Forget all that compared to this and that stuff, Wittgens is her own voice and it’s one you’ll be glad to hear. Hot stuff from a newcomer that’s sure to be around for a while.” ---Chris Spector, Midwest Record

“With a tip of the hat to Brecht, Jellyfish and maybe even XTC, Wittgens’ music is a soundtrack for a waiting room in a bordello or perhaps a carnival. Throughout the dozen tracks, the ideas and creativity seem to flow effortlessly, from the rock edge to ‘Blue-Eyed Fool’ and the meticulously orchestrated ‘Everything Is Relative to You’. The Beatlesque ‘Beautiful You’ sounds precisely like its title: With a flanged, almost liquid guitar line, the songs ebbs and swells from nothing but Wittgens voice to a beautiful ensemble.” ---Michael Lipton, Charleston Gazette

MORE ABOUT ANDREA WITTGENS and "IN THE SKYLINE"

A follow-up to her 2006 EP Alibi, “In the Skyline” represents a return to a more viscerally emotional live band setting. From dreamy (“Empires of Straw”) to dramatic (“Cardboard Cutouts”), from playful (“Marching Orders”) to ironic (“Creature Feature”) the songs jump out of a dynamic foundation featuring Andrea at the helm on piano. As befits such fantastical lyrical content, evocative arrangements make use of a broad and colorful sonic palette weaving spooky Mellotrons, quirky Farfisas, and luscious string quartets into the mix.

But as is true of real artists, these adventurous arrangements are all in support of one thing; Andrea Wittgens and her instantly arresting voice. At home singing in both English and French (check out “Comme tu veux” her first original French song), she has been compared to artists as varied as Aimee Mann, Regina Spektor and PJ Harvey.

Originally from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Andrea currently lives in Seattle. In fall of 2008 she kicks off the first dates of her tour to promote “In The Skyline” starting in Nova Scotia and then moving on to New York City and Seattle.