Gray Young - Firmament [Album]

Walks Music

September 24, 2009, 02:58 AM

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A flowing, and at times epic, post rock endeavor from this North Carolinian trio, Gray Young. "Firmament" is moody and textural, at times dabbling in washed out vocals reminiscent of Slowdive, and at other times letting walls of sound prevail. A sense of the spiritual, and a flash of rock enthusiasm. It’s easy to feel yourself slipping sideways to the poetic listening to "Firmament." However, for the sake of responsible musical journalism, I’ll refrain from comparing this album to the ocean or a summer’s day.

Gray Young prove themselves as students of the surreal and epic early on in "Firmament." In 'Convoy' a jangly post-rock sound gives way to a prodigious four chord kind of progression. A shouted, but never screamed vocal line illustrates the surreal edge by letting us know “There’s a convoy in the yard.” Leaving the listener to speculate on why? 'Convoy' flows expertly into 'Tilling the Wind,' another track of heavy vocal emphasis. Indeed, an understanding of aesthetics exists between all the tracks of "Firmament." Every song flowing seamlessly into the next.

Tracks like 'First Perennial Fall' and 'Ghost Notes' show a more experimental instrumental approach to the framework of "Firmament." Gray Young incorporate piano as the primary melodic instrument in 'First Perennial Fall.' This piano sound lends an eerie presence to "Firmament."

"Firmament" feels natural. None of the excessive engineering and multi-tracking that seems to identify so much post-rock. "Firmament" is an album that could be precisely reenacted live, even in the smallest of venues. Gray Young has produced a debut of emotional and musical depth with "Firmament." A debut that will be used as a test for all future releases. Rightly so, for a work this extraordinary from a band so young leaves us waiting for more. "Firmament" is a must for fans of post-rock, jangle, or shoegaze. Lord knows I could count myself as one.

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