The beautifully named 5-piece band Poets and Wolves, from Evans CO, has an obvious talent for ingenuity. This is all tastefully conveyed through lyrics, composition, and instrumentation in "Hold the Line," a dreamy indie anthem moving through soundscapes possibly influenced by artists like Elliot Smith, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer or Dr. Dog...though these are at best rough guesses, and none of them feel quite right. "Mama said I was born and raised to fight the demons in your eyes/ but I can't seem to look away, I guess Mama was full of lies." The vocal lines are simultaneously tender and haunting, and a subtle click/clap track provides a nice little edge to the beat. Honestly, I have to say there are times that the recording feels a little rough, and the band could afford a little more practice and a better go-round at mixing. In this particular instance, I don't feel like the lo-fi quality of "Hold the Line" adds to the texture of the song. I would love to see Poets & Wolves keep writing and keep playing... and then to get to hear what happens when they put a higher level of professionalism into a fully realized album. I think it could go very far.