Led by Sean Kirkpatrick, who returns to music several years after the split of his former group Colour Revolt, Greater Pyrenees come out strong with a cleanly written and thoroughly enjoyable debut studio album that marks the first official release by Procrastinate! Music Traitors, the record label founded by beloved Long Island alt-rockers Brand New.
While citing Pavement, Van Morrison, Sharon Van Etten and Blur among his influences, Kirkpatrick and his band have assembled an admirable album of easygoing, rootsy indie rock songs that are likely to be warmly received among those who count bands like Fleet Foxes, Lord Huron, All Get Out and Father John Misty among their favourites.
"Homemade Blood" is the album's first standout, an upbeat yet slightly gloomy folk-rock tune that steadily hums along and wriggles its way into your head with a catchy, recurring falsetto melody. "Close," with its lazy-day slide guitar and lullaby-like refrain, would fit perfectly on a mix for a humid summer's afternoon, even with its unexpectedly dark lyrics. Also worth highlighting are "In the Morning," a dynamic song that soars and crashes with almost U2-like resonance, and the album's closer, "Simple," which has emotional depth other tracks here don't quite reach.
Greater Pyrenees may not stand out particularly strongly from what's already on offer in the current indie/folk rock environment, but Kirkpatrick's gift for subtlety and melody in his songwriting are sure to win approval among anyone looking for an easygoing, good-natured and well-crafted record.
(Procrastinate! Music Traitors)While citing Pavement, Van Morrison, Sharon Van Etten and Blur among his influences, Kirkpatrick and his band have assembled an admirable album of easygoing, rootsy indie rock songs that are likely to be warmly received among those who count bands like Fleet Foxes, Lord Huron, All Get Out and Father John Misty among their favourites.
"Homemade Blood" is the album's first standout, an upbeat yet slightly gloomy folk-rock tune that steadily hums along and wriggles its way into your head with a catchy, recurring falsetto melody. "Close," with its lazy-day slide guitar and lullaby-like refrain, would fit perfectly on a mix for a humid summer's afternoon, even with its unexpectedly dark lyrics. Also worth highlighting are "In the Morning," a dynamic song that soars and crashes with almost U2-like resonance, and the album's closer, "Simple," which has emotional depth other tracks here don't quite reach.
Greater Pyrenees may not stand out particularly strongly from what's already on offer in the current indie/folk rock environment, but Kirkpatrick's gift for subtlety and melody in his songwriting are sure to win approval among anyone looking for an easygoing, good-natured and well-crafted record.