The Gembrokers
The Gembrokers are an acoustic trio from Santa Cruz,
California. Their second album, Bury The Sound is a remarkably textured release
that spans many variants of folk styled music. Heartfelt, honest, and
uncompromising songwriting makes this piece stand out during a time in music
where so much is mired in uncertainty and change; this group takes a step back
instead and presents something fresh regardless.
The Demon brings the listener into a darkening swamp at dusk and
leaves them there. Effortlessly exceptional musicianship and harmonic balance
ebbs and flows, drifting along only allowing the listener to catch but a
glimpse of some figure watching from distance through a misty tree-scape. The
title track Bury The Sound, has perhaps the most interesting combination of
styles and techniques. This song opens with a piano and vocal narrative which
transitions into a passage that hearkens simpler times, with traditional
European influences. To The Sea is a raw vocal and piano oriented ballad.
Powerful and soulful, this track emphasizes hopefulness at the end of one long
journey while facing the start of another.
Featuring complex vocal harmonies and a seamless integration
of multiple instruments, Bury The Sound is an excellent example of less can
certainly be more if one adequately utilizes one’s resources. A lack of
percussion stands out while not feeling at all missed, as often times the
percussive nature of The Gembrokers rhythms adds a layer of dimension through
this minimalism.
Break of Reality
Rochester, New York founded Break of Reality, has made three releases with extensive touring in support of these albums. Spectrum of the
Sky, released in 2009, is an amalgamation of classic technique and modern
rhythmic styling. With this release, Break of Reality may alter one's previous
conceptions of what can be done with a four piece band and classical
instruments.
The Farewell sets a dramatic atmosphere with choppy
cello bowing, intricate violin narratives, and a percussive emphasis. With
hints of Western European influence, The Farewell conveys the occurrence of an
important event that has been a long time coming.
