The sparse, reverberant texture of “Buddy Casey” starts off this year’s gritty, Cimmerian five song EP, Map and a Marker, from Brooklyn duo The Courtesy Tier.  A fissure of light penetrates the dark sound of "Buddy Casey" during the bridge, which attempts to usher in a new, major-sounding key, but this attempt is quelled by the return of the original key.

“Cold” quickens the pace with a complex guitar lick and dexterously performed off-kilter drum beat.  The vehement “Set Things Right” and blues-drone infused “Friend” follow.  Map and a Marker ends on a plaintive note with the bashed-up ballad “While I’m Gone.”

[check out kleineKultur's live review of The Courtesy Tier here.]