SubPop is trying to strike gold again with The Grand Archives, including a former member of Carissa’s Weird. Mat Brooke, who played with Ben Bridwell in Carissa’s Weird and Band Of Horses, set out on his own last year to form The Grand Archives. While admittedly not familiar with Carissa’s Weird, I would say that this effort is more in line with their sound than that of Band of Horses.
there are only four demos on their MySpace page, but after a few listens I am chomping at the bit for their release later this year. The four tracks are layered with harmonies as they dreamily move along. Brooke has an honest and sad voice that fits perfectly with the musical backing. The four tracks are as follows:
“Sleepdriving” – This is the slowest and dreamiest of the four. Typically not my speed but this song has really grown on me.
“George Kaminski” – This tune has a nice build and a great finish. Also features some nice harmonica work to give the song a little more texture.
“Southern Glass Home” – The chorus with its harmonies reminds me of something Phish would have done.
“Torn Blue Foam Couch” – I think this will be the lead track and the most accessible at first listen.
Check them out and then sit back and anxiously await their debut. I imagine that it will find its way on the many end of the year lists.
Grand Archives – Torn Blue Foam Couch (From Spin.com)
You can buy their CD-R EP Here for $5
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Archives actually sound more like BOH than Carissa’s Weird. CW had girl singing sometimes, much slower, less “natural” sounding.
I caught a Grand Archives show a month or so back and left not just unimpressed, but disappointed. I had listened to their demos a bit ahead of the show, and really expected a lot more. The vocals on their studio stuff come off much better than they do live. Matt Brooke voice gets overwhelmed… with the backing vocals both too prominent and far too repetitive. The oo-oo-oohs work on a tune or two, but got really old really quick within a set.
I agree with Dang. This is one over-hyped group. All that oohing and ahing gets old super quick. I caught one of their live shows and left early. Too boring. Check out their labelmates, The Fleet Foxes, as they actually deserve all the hype this band is getting. And also, The Cave Singers are straight killing it here in Seattle.