CD Review: Greycoats

Photo by Jason Strong

CD: Setting Fire To The Great Unknown

Usually around this time of the year, some springy and rough-around-the-edges pop gem grips me and becomes my “windows down” album as I start to anticipate summer (until the first 90 degree Philadelphia day, when I lament Springs and Autumns that used to last more than a week). So, it’s a bit curious that the latest collection to grab me by the collar is the Greycoats’ “Setting Fire To The Great Unknown” – a more atmospheric and cinematic affair with some stormy undercurrents.

After one listen, Todd said “yeah, you know, right away I thought that this sounded like something up your alley” – I’m not sure he was able to put his finger on why that was exactly, but I knew it was a reference to the killer production – for which I am admittedly a sucker (but only when it is wrapped around substance, of course). The musicianship is solid, the performances tight and thoughtful, and the vocals crisp and icy.

I had to check their lineup several times to convince myself that this wasn’t the latest side project of Sleep Station’s David Debiak, because epic tracks like “Revenge” would sound right at home on “After The War” or “Hang In There Charlie” (worth hunting down as well – fantastic collections). At other times I was reminded of the soaring of Geneva (“La Résistance”), and I’m trying dearly to stay away from using the ol’ Coldplay crutch because that’s such a tired reference, but they’ve pulled a few things from the same spice rack – sonically, anyway.

However, what really sets these songs apart (and forgive this sounding all high on the hog) is that they’re just a bit smarter than all of that. You don’t get the sense that they were written as catchy choruses and then just had verses sutured to them, but rather that their sole purpose was to convey the stories within – and the sounds that ended up carrying those stories just happened to be the ones most emotionally appropriate.

But while emotion does run deep in this set, that’s not to say that there aren’t catchy moments – “Goodbye, Sweet Youth, Goodbye” in particular is a pretty upbeat piece of pop for such a heavy sentiment – and it sounds like it came from the sandbox Keane has been playing in as of late. But for my money, it’s the sublime “Revenge” that gets me every time. The majestic coda is a beautiful battle cry of building harmonies over a tasteful syncopated drum line that just delivers one of those “oh YEAH” moments with every listen.

Well done, fellows – hopefully we’ll see you on the east coast soon. If the attention you’ve been getting from the networks recently continues, I imagine that’ll be happening sooner rather than later. Keep it up!

More: www.myspace.com/greycoats

- Russ Starke

TAGS: Greycoats