Scarecrow II by The Telephone Numbers

The Telephone Numbers have established themselves as a crucial part of San Francisco's fertile indie music scene, sharing members with The Reds, Pinks & Purples and The Umbrellas and sporting a musical palette that takes in everything from the rootsier end of Byrds jangle to Lemonheads-tinged power-pop to the pop sophistication of bands like The Go-Betweens and The Church.

"Scarecrow II" is their second album and a massive step forward for the band. Recorded by Alicia Vanden Heuvel at SF's Speakeasy Studios, this set of songs is deeper and richer, foregrounding their crafty tunes and lovely melodies, adding just-right bits of trumpet, violin and organ to the mix. With "Scarecrow II" The Telephone Numbers have created a record overflowing with warmth, an earnest exploration of traditionalist pop that feels fresh, vital, and essential.

Tracklist

1.	Goodbye Rock n Roll	3:12

2.	Be Right Down	3:56

3.	Ebb Tide	3:13

4.	Falling Dream	4:30

5.	Pulling Punchlines	4:30

6.	This Job Is Killing Me	4:32

7.	Battle of Blythe Road	3:14

8.	Hemlock	3:31

9.	Telephone Numbers Theme	3:16

10.	Scarecrow	3:39

Credits

released October 10, 2025

Charlie Ertola - Bass
Phil Lantz - Drums and percussion
Thomas Rubenstein - Vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica
Morgan Stanley - Vocals, guitar and percussion

Featuring:

K. Dylan Edrich - Violin (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10) and mellotron (track 4)
Lewis Gallardo - Slide guitar (track 3)
Anna Hillburg - Trumpet (track 5)
Tony Molina - 12-string guitar (track 5)
Andy Pastalaniec - Organ (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10)
Alicia Vanden Heuvel - Piano (track 1) and bells (track 5)

All songs by the Telephone Numbers except:
‘Pulling Punchlines’ by the Telephone Numbers with Eli Groshelle and Eli Wald
‘Telephone Numbers Theme’ by the Telephone Numbers with Glenn Donaldson and Eli Groshelle

Recorded by Alicia Vanden Heuvel at Speakeasy Studios SF
Additional recording by Thomas Rubenstein in the Nez Cave

Mixed by Chris Cohen
Mastered by Mike Nolte

License