“…Imagine the prize musicians from six adjacent counties’ high
school orchestras growing up and coalescing to form a pop
band inspired by Queen, Kraftwerk, and Nick Drake…
each song is a barrage of hooks and nuanced performances…
[Canasta’s] value to the pop music scene continues to grow…” - PopMatters

“…one of the most vibrant pop sounds to emerge from Chicago in years…” - UR Magazine

“…one of Chicago’s best pop bands…
We Were Set Up doesn’t disappoint…” - Monica Kendrick, Chicago Reader

“…smartly constructed songs that balance traditional
pop and indie-minded subversiveness…” - The Onion

“…inventive arrangements… remarkable catchiness…
Canasta looks primed for a considerable breakthrough…” - NPR’s “World Cafe”

“…pop phenoms… lyrical, buoyant pop tunes recalling the delicacy of
Belle and Sebastian and the lush, upbeat melodies of The Shins…” - Flavorpill

“…Out of nowhere comes a band that sounds ready for primetime…
could sneak its way onto some year-end top ten lists…” - Real Detroit Weekly

“…miniature blockbusters for the head and heart… earnest, literate and
lonely in all the right spots… the result is transcendent…” - The Daily Herald (Chicago)

“…nothing less than blissful… a revolution just might ensue…” - Badger Herald (Madison)

“…splendid… killer… cool…” - Jim Derogatis, Chicago Sun-Times

“…I was hooked from the opening organ chords… pure chamber pop bliss…” - Splendid

“…fantastic full-length debut… incredibly tight and consistent
throughout 13 tracks of pop goodness…” - OnMilwaukee.com

“…4 Stars… Canasta’s sense of what makes for quality music
is evident with just one listen…” - The Pitt Times (Pittsburgh)

“…musical diversity, quirkiness and loads of talent fuse into an eclectic 13-song set…
indelibly stylish and hard to pin down…” - Midwest Beat Magazine

“…further proof of the citys indie-rock renaissance…” - TimeOut Chicago

“…melodic, witty and intelligent… ‘Shadowcat’ could have been written by
heartbreak kings Ben Folds or Mac McCaughan, but wasn’t…” - 3hive.com

“…Canasta’s broad sonic palette defies pat descriptions…
delightfully askew songwriting…” - INtake (Indianapolis)

“…Best of Chicago’s Unsigned Artists…
this band has the potential to join the ranks of its heroes…” - Illinois Entertainer

“…We Were Set Up is a delicious find… great songs abound…
What’s not to love about this band?” - WXPN (Philadelphia)

“Best Songs of ‘05: Slow Down Chicago - Canasta” - WXRT’s “Local Anesthetic” (Chicago)

“…on the cusp of national acclaim… believe the hype…” - songs:illinois

“…one step away from blowing up… label reps, listen to this band, now…” - Gapers Block

“Top Ten Albums of 2006: We Were Set Up - Canasta” - Kwaya Na Kisser

“1 Album of 2006: We Were Set Up - Canasta” - Creekside Review

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