 Twistedly endearing and undeniably eye-catching. That’s what springs to mind after setting eyes on Gabby Young & Other Animal’s new EP, “Bear With Me”. A profile shot of Gabby herself, conventionally striking in features but with an odd assortment of accessories hidden within a mane of vibrant red locks, provides a simple yet suitable aesthetic accompaniment for what “Bear With Me” holds within. Having done a bit of background reading before being seduced by this record, it seems other reviewers have got it spot on, making a big deal of Gabby’s varieties of influences, unique talent, and highlighting her inspirational achievement of beating thyroid cancer aged just 22. Gabby Young & Other Animals do indeed draw upon a phenomenal range of instrumentation and genre-sweeping – jazz to blues to folk hidden deviously within an occasional elephant trumpet tongue-flutter or fret-squeak. Unfortunately for yours truly it’s hard to criticise this little box of mania in an overview... please, really do, bear with me.
“Snakebite”, which opens with terrifying glockenspiel glitter, soon erupts into the indescribable. Elephant trumpets and magnificent flutter-tonguing pinned down by collapsing bass and a lovely undertone of raw guitar, the original musicianship is topped by nothing more than sharp Gabby herself. Fans of Shana Worden (of My Brightest Diamond fame) will appreciate Gabby Young’s sound, although it has to be said that such scratchy full-on vocals can become exhausting. If you don’t agree with me you have abnormally patient ears. Flitting sweet and sour in second track “Tiger”, Gabby lulls us into a telling false sense of security before the brass reels back in and picks up the pace. I especially love the way so much thought has gone into the production – certain features won’t be picked up on until the second, third, fourth listen and beyond, keeping you guessing and keeping the songs strong. Gabby's vocals simmer away effortlessly for much of “Mole”. “Mole” could easily be the one weak track on the EP but floats along with some nice cello work and picked out piano. At the very least, it tells a story within its 6 minute frame.
Final track “Down” pulls the curtain on “Bear With Me” with a stunning use of the word “arsehole” and a shouty splintering of Gabby’s pleasing vocal power. I love it when you can almost hear the vocal chords pop! “Bear With Me” is simply beautifully bewildering. Gabby Young & Other Animals prove their versatility by wildly letting rip when the mood takes them and then dragging back and dimming when necessary. For a perfect introduction to the band’s style check out the odd video for “Snakebite” currently up on
http://www.myspace.com/gabbyyoung
– snares played with wooden spoons and all sorts! 
Last edited by altsounds : December 6, 2008 at 11:33 PM.
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| | | | Overall Rating | | 7 | | Vocals / Lyrics | | 7 | | Musicianship | | 9 | | Production | | 7 | | Creativity | | 9 | | Lastability | | 5 | | Reviewers Tilt | | 7 |
73% | |
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