As flowers come into full bloom throughout the ornately cozy quads, coffee shops and record stores of Ann Arbor and the U-M/EMU campuses – it’s clear, spring has fully sprung. So, what temporally better A2-based band to ramble about then aptly named, The New Green. The New Green’s sound is a slight neo-country twang soaked in dreamy tones and latter day (White Album-ish) Beatles-esque pop balladry — the thinking-man’s lyrical folk blended with an unabashed romanticism and intricate instrumentation. The project was born from the songs of singer/songwriter Steven Clausnitzer, who took demos to venerable A2-based engineer Jim Roll a few years back – which grew into forming a full band and finishing a debut album, Easily Made, Easily Broken. The band (Dan Piccolo-drums, Brian Goodwin-guitar, and now Ben Kessler on keys/trombone) played a slew of shows through 07-08. Through April they have retreated into Kessler’s home studio as he aids in tracking their follow-up full length. “I think he has about 30 analog/digital synths down there, a theremin and a giant mural of Optimus Prime,” said Clausnitzer. “Yeah...we’re dorks, but we’re dorks with 30 synthesizers.” Distinguished from the debut, this album, said Clausnitzer, “is more a collection of songs and is more up-tempo and spans more topical matter. I am still a big fan of duality in music; I love for a song to sound poppy and upbeat but to have a melancholy story. I am consciously writing songs that will be fun to perform live while at the same time trying to write good, thoughtful music... the truth is, they just happen.” He adds, “I have never played with so much talent. When [Goodwin] plays, I am amazed by how much he has to say through his melodies. Add Ben to the mix on organ and Piccolo on drums and our live shows really take on a new energy...we are all excited to show the world the ‘new’ New Green.”Jeff MiloAnn Arbor Current