The door, the gutter, and the grave are three things that 23-year-old Tom Schraeder has one foot in. The door, because he’s recently been chosen as one of the Onion A.V. Club's "Top 5 Artists to Watch in 2008," inspired Chicago Magazine’s Noah Isackson to declare that “Tom Schraeder [is] on the brink of stardom,” and prompted Jim Derogatis (Chicago Sun-Times, Sound Opinions) to proclaim of his Lollapalooza set: "Combined with a moving sound equal parts alternative-country, cornfield psychedelia and Neil Young, tunes like this...marked him as a real talent." The gutter, because his world-wea... (+) expand

The door, the gutter, and the grave are three things that 23-year-old Tom Schraeder has one foot in. The door, because he’s recently been chosen as one of the Onion A.V. Club's "Top 5 Artists to Watch in 2008," inspired Chicago Magazine’s Noah Isackson to declare that “Tom Schraeder [is] on the brink of stardom,” and prompted Jim Derogatis (Chicago Sun-Times, Sound Opinions) to proclaim of his Lollapalooza set: "Combined with a moving sound equal parts alternative-country, cornfield psychedelia and Neil Young, tunes like this...marked him as a real talent." The gutter, because his world-weary voice is at times haunting and at times undeniably close to the brink of disaster. The grave, because one or another of the wine, women, and song trifecta will surely be this young man’s demise - and he’d have it no other way. The 7 song e.p. with the intensely personal title was recorded in Chicago at Studio Ballistico with Tim Sandusky (Bound Stems, Oucho Sparks), and lends the listener a glimpse of the deceptive simplicity that belies the mark of a pure pop genius. Proving to be as accomplished onstage as he is off, this Chicago newcomer with the old soul is the sort of well-rounded artist that comes around once in a blue moon...this may be the first time you've heard of Tom Schraeder & His Ego, but we'll bet you a whiskey shot that it won't be the last. (-) collapse