The Graylings is a Los Angeles based alt country/alt rock quintet that released their debut Tell Me How It Ends this past April. The group was founded by Zachary and Bridget Galanis, a married couple who have been performing together as a folk-Americana duet since 2007. Zach and Bridget are joined by Jose Galvez on bass, Jon Rygiewicz on drums and percussion, and Derek Purdy on piano and keys. Their musical style is a “little bit-of country, a touch of rock and a pinch of baroque-folk.” The songwriting process for the band’s first release started with 150+ songs – wowsers! – written by Zach. Those songs were then “pruned through” by Bridget in search of the gems, either lyrically or melodically, or both. From there they edited down their hefty collection until ending up with 13 total. Jessica and David Catalan both make a wind instrument appearance midway through the album, Jessica on French horn and David on flute and clarinet, on “Orion’s Belt.”
“Come By Boat” starts things off really mellow and chill and I got the feeling that this LA band’s selling point is their vocal harmonies and the feel good folky vibes. Lyrically, this opener seems to be about some kind of rescue mission. “Flaming Tongues” finds Bridget on the lead vocals and more action by the piano – along with a melodic and warm electric. I did like the change in tempo in this one, it even gets more rocking during the solo and ending parts. “Hummingbird” features a fantastic drum rhythm and a certain spookiness that I liked. The band’s style reminds me of mesh of songs – Tom Waits off of “Orphans…”, an R.E.M. B-side and something from Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs. “Little Bird” feels more rustic and Americana, think Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch, or Fleetwood Mac’s “Gold Dust Woman.” Another great song that gave me the chills. “Honey Bee” offers a rocking attitude and danceable beat. Lyrically, this one has a lot of metaphor. What I like best was the effect on the keys, a little quirkiness adds a lot. “Golden Line” mellows things out again with a slow-moving rhythm and cool and smooth vocal harmonies. “Orion’s Belt” features the aforementioned guest appearances, which for me was enjoyable – I always get a kick out of bands that add traditional orchestral instruments to modern music. The cello addition was very nice, too. I think lyrically, the band’s words are something we can all relate to. Perhaps the most humorous, tongue-in-cheek number on the album is “Slayer on Cassette” and yes, the band is referring to the metal band Slayer. Bridget sings about a girl who needs to forget about her life problems, so she head bangs and rages just a little and then gets “destroyed” in the pit. “Erasing Lines” sounds like newer country rock, but maybe more in a delivery style like Graham Parsons. “In the Night” is a slow, crooning love song – or at least I think so. I couldn’t quite make out the meaning behind “cover the streets,” “cover the houses where the families eat” or “cover the pictures we’ve yet to hang.” They are either referring to moving in to a new house or mourning the dead like they did in the Victorian era. I’ll spare you the history lesson. “Entertain Us” was indeed entertaining and offers a toe tapping beat, harder rocking guitars and a more keyboard presence. Interestingly, the “walking” jangly guitars, low floor drum beat and overall arrangement to the song reminded me of ‘90s R.E.M. The title track to the album features slide action on the guitar, piano and imaginative lyrics. My favorite words were – “I like to muse that we’re all drawn to / A unifying perspective / A pencil dot that consumes our world / Gives life / If we turn the canvas over.” The last tune “Glow Globe” finds two lovers imagining themselves above the earth atmosphere and looking for “Magellan’s path to the cities we want to live in.” The dreamers drift off to a world “small and sweet” as sweet as the harmonies sung and as beautiful as the hushed keys being played here. A nice, cozy way to end the group’s debut. Overall, The Graylings musical arrangements, melodies and harmonies along with their universal, charming lyrics should appeal to many listeners who enjoy an alt-country/alt rock style. Although the type of musical genre The Graylings play is not my first choice, I can appreciate top notch musicianship, chemistry and production – this band certainly has all three.
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