No one was named Matson Jones -- the band's name was a sly art world reference. But with the intriguing harmonies and sawing cellos of Martina Grbac and Anna Mascorella out front and a straightforwardly driving rhythm section of Ross Harada (drums) and Matt Regan (bass), the Fort Collins, CO-based quartet created a raw sound close to conventional indie rock. No guitars, of course, but still. There were also comparisons made to PJ Harvey and Rasputina. Though Grbac and Mascorella had collaborated previously, it was with the 2003 establishment of the quartet lineup that their sound really came together. Local buzz developed quickly, helped along by shows with prominent locals like DeVotchKa. Matson Jones issued their self-titled debut in June 2005 through Sympathy for the Record Industry, followed by an EP, Albatross Mates for Life But Only After a Lengthy Courtship That Can Take Up to Four Years, in 2006. ~ Johnny Loftus