Gravelarks is a band from Pittsburgh, PA who just formed in 2016 and already managed to release an album entitled Sublimation. My first thought were that I couldn't believe the band formed so recently. They sound great and not like a band that has been together for a such a little amount of time. The band consists of Stephen Jarrett (vocals/guitars/bass/keys), Candice McDermott (vocals) and Travis Lamanna (drums/percussion). Jarrett is the songwriter who on the whole embraces experimental, art rock for the most part.
The transitions and chord changes aren't ones you will find on FM radio and I found them to be quite refreshing and inventive. I wouldn't go as far as to say they are aligned to baroque pop per Grizzly Bear but there are similarities. Up first is the “Same Place” which felt more like an intro than a fleshed out song. A good intro at that as I really liked the vocals. The album really gets going with “Brittle Bones” which showcases McDermott’s vocals. There are some inventive vocal harmonies amongst the jagged, jangly guitars. As for the lyrics I’m not completely sure what they were referring to but I have a feeling that Jarret’s fictional writing skills came into play here. The first few moments of “Chameleon” reminded me of one of the greatest bands in the universe called Deerhoof. That vibe kind of diminishes. I’m not sure everything worked for me in the song but there were plenty of inspired moments along the way. The more traditional rocking out during the 3:30 mark was nice. “High Street” is a clear highlight. It starts off serene and calming in a Mazzy Star type of way but eventually seamlessly finds it way to a rigid dynamic that I found jolting. I appreciate how they got there. It didn't feel unexpected or sudden. The band rocks out quite hard on “Ruby” while “Wayfarer” sounded a bit out of place because of the atmospheric nature of the song and the production decisions. The band is at their best when they experiment with sparse elements like guitar, bass and drums and utilize those instruments to their fullest capabilities. It displays that standard rock instrumentation still has myriad possibilities. The first half of the album really drives home this point. I can’t say the second half was as impactful. Songs like “Take It Away” felt like middle of the road songs while the closer “Rapture” seemed like an experimental sound collage which didn't really feel connected to the intensity and power they were delivering earlier on. Sublimation isn't perfect but there are some exceptional songs on here. I’d say this a good, solid effort from a band that has a boatload of potential. Recommended.
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