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Gravenhurst

Fires In Distant Buildings

Warp | 2006 | Album

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Gravenhurst is basically multi-instrumentalist Nick Talbot and drummer Dave Collingswood. They hail from Bristol, England. The sound is an unlikely mix of English folk and indie noise-rock similar to My Bloody Valentine. Mr. Talbot sings in a soft choirboy voice. The resulting music shifts from charming to downright disturbing. I found "Fires In Distant Buildings" to be an original and well produced cd.

The opening cut "Down River" begins with strange noises that lead
to some atmospheric jazz-rock. Then the song veers into some metal riffing. Very interesting. "Velvet Cell" reminded me of The Strokes. "Velvet Cell Reprise" is a cool rock instrumental. Two acoustic ballads are the highlights of the cd. They are "Nicole" and "Cities Beneath The Sea". Both songs have wonderful melodies. The cd ends with a brooding to ballsy version of The Kinks chestnut "See My Friends". The song builds and builds until the tempo explodes. A great ending to an interesting cd.

The sound of "Fires In Distant Buildings" is your basic guitar, bass and drums with the occasional organ thrown in for texture. The mix of jazz and metal riffing is certainly different. Nick Talbot's singing seems to fit the songs on the cd. Kind of a different sound for the Warp label-almost commercial sounding—gasp! For those interested in something classy in their indie-rock- check out the Gravenhurst sound.

J. Marsh