You guys watch Breaking Bad?  Remember the goth hottie that Jesse dates in the second or third season? Well that character was played by Krysten Ritter (who now stars in The B in Apt 23) and apparently she's more than just an actress - she makes music too! This is her debut release under the Ex Vivian moniker, released by Brooklyn's WT Records. The album showcases Ritter's singing and guitar playing, along with production from WT label head William Burnett (aka Speculator). From WT: "Ex vivian is the musical project of actress Krysten Ritter. Krysten enlisted the help of WT Records to record and release this group of honest songs. All songs were written by Krysten and came to fruition when William Burnett (CEO of WT) came to visit her in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Using a simple setup of just a few instruments and a trusty sm 58 microphone, the true spirit of ex vivian was captured. No flashy gimmicks or fancy studio tricks, just simple tales of heartbreak and life recorded in the living room or her treetop apartment. Somewhere between the atmosphere of Mazzy Starr and the American twang of Stevie Nicks, the album is a pleasant surprise showcasing Krysten’s musical talent and a new direction for WT Records." 9 tracks in all with full pic sleeve.

• music label: WT Records 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 08/2012