Pitch Perfect
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

ian grindstaff - animotion

4/8/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
Ian Grindstaff

Animotion
self-released; 2013

3.4 out of 5

By Ethan Skeleton
Ian Grindstaff hails from Decatur, Illinois. It was there that he made several recordings and started working on the gems within Animotion – songs he crafted in their entirety and performed instrumentally. At 17. Not bad for a flat land country boy. Perhaps, all the creativity and work was spurred on by the fact that his former band mates didn’t jump on board for his style. Well that’s their loss. The sound is dreamy and underground with some experimental tendencies not unlike such contemporaries as Incubus, MuteMath, and Temper Trap.

“Listening” starts out with distorted delivery on the vocals and then cleans it up when the band brings in the drive, trebles realigned and crescendo in full swing. It serves as an album introduction naturally segueing into “Nobody Knows.” Contemplative strumming and the odd sampling of a baby crying. It’s clear this artist is down to go with whatever he thinks of next. 

On “Far Away From Here” there’s a clean and yet dirty feel to it that goes in and out of each, and a nice progression, with some interesting passing tones. “Look Up” feels a bit industrial with the static fuzz and plinking. Things settle down shortly and start switching up the meter. For the better? Jury’s out on that one. “New Parts” has a Foo Fighters vibe for sure, borrowing a sound that sort of plays within their old and new albums. The vocals glisten the most on this one, the drums kept at a hollow frenetic pitter-patter.

One thing that holds back the album is the production. The record is beyond lo-fi and better recording would have helped the emotional impact of some of the songs. A lot of the song have a blaring high end that leaves your ears ringing.

This album is a great effort from a talented wanderer. There are stories in this guy’s head and I’m sure he’s had years with them sitting in his head, just waiting to unleash on a record. Help this guy out and take a closer look at Animotion. It’s not top 40 but it’s real and definitely different.
bandcamp
1 Comment
Ian Grindstaff
4/8/2014 08:20:10 am

I wanted to thank you Ethan for reviewing my album, but I wanted to clear some things up. I am not 17, but I made my FIRST album when I was 17, and this is my third I've recorded (one is unreleased currently). Also, my former bandmates (from multiple bands) all quit for various reasons and left on their own terms (no beef, were all cool still). Regardless, I appreciate you listening. The high end is a bit sharp on some speakers during streaming, so the CD is available on Amazon. Thanks!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by pitchperfect158
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
© Pitch Perfect 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact