|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
Greater
California: Somber Wurlitzer
I could not have come up with a better title for this album had I tried. Even the dismal scenery and coloring of the album art is spot on. Interestingly the album was said to have been written in a dimly lit room between the hours of midnight and 5 am, so I find it appropriate that I should be listening to it at such a time. It also works really well in the car stereo while taking a coastal drive in the gloomy Oregon weather. Utilizing a Wurlitzer electric piano throughout the entire album, the group explores a soothing retro sound in a different light. While I feared that the full, rich sound of the instrument may send the album into monotonous territory, I was happy to hear that it managed to stay on the safe side of the line despite sliding dangerously close with a less than strong ending. Take your immediate thoughts of California-style music and mash it with the definition of somber, and you can probably imagine the sound of this album pretty well. In Missing Summer, the melancholy harmonies are infused with the occasional bah bah bah and a nod towards the 60s style psych pop. Perhaps this is what happens when people from the sunshine state stay out of the bright light for awhile. Looking In is a captivating and melodic tune that envelopes the listener like a soft blanket. May Day sheds the richly layered vocal harmonies for the dueting xylophone, backed by a waltzy beat. However, the song ends in an unfortunate mish-mash of instrumentation that it really could have done without. In Scarlet follows in the footsteps of The Shins with its jangly guitars and layered vocals. This style works well for Greater California. Somber Wurlitzer provides the listener with a different take on the typical sound assumed of a California pop artist. The band uses the Wurlitzer keyboard to its advantage and has created a richly layered, moody album, perfect for those nights when you cant sleep.
Earthling Records Official Website About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
