2014-04-14
How could I resist the interesting,"extra textured" packaging on the new release from Grand Rapids band, The Extra Texture? Well, I couldn't and the music contained therein was interesting as well. The Extra Texture makes rock that doesn't bore me. For this twin EP set, the first disc sports your typical rock instruments along with a few musical surprises (celeste, organ, harmonium?)making for a dynamic listening experience. Disc two is mostly instrumental, more downtempo, and has a shoe-gaze feel to it. As far as the production goes, the editing is very well-done. The songs often blend together, but there is just enough of a pause between them that one can differentiate one song from the next, while it maintains a cohesive sound overall. The mix, on the other hand, was such that while individual instruments were easy enough to distinguish, there seemed to be a general muddiness to it, especially on the vocals. Maybe this was on purpose, but it is unfortunate, because I quite like this release otherwise. Rebecca Ruth
Charlie Sexton & Shannon McNally
Southside Sessions
BEN HARPER AND THE RELENTLESS SEVEN
Live From the Montreal International Jazz Festival
THE SUBMARINES
Honeysuckle Weeks
Screaming Females
Rose Mountain
MATTHEW RYAN
From a Late Night High Rise in Paris
JANIS MARTIN
THE BLANCO SESSIONS
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.