Album Review: The Barrens

 

Album Review: The Barrens

(Independent Music Promotions)

[rating=5]

*An interesting fusion of dream-pop, alt-rock and psychedelia, this album casts a lingering spell.

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The Barrens are a band from NYC that are doing an interesting blend of alternative rock sub-genres on their self titled album (which you can preview and download here from Bandcamp; you set your own price before prior to downloading).

The album opens with “Claws Remains” which has a nostalgic, ethereal sound that reminds me a bit of Slowdive with its swirling dream pop guitars and the echo chamber vocals of Debbie Chau and Colin Fitzgerald.

“Felt” which follows is the polar opposite, with a bottom heavy riff that wouldnt sound out-of-place on a Sabbath or Soundgarden album. Moody, gritty and undulating, it delivers a satisfying crunch with nice guitar work from Fitzgerald and lead guitarist Mike Koene.

“Bottom Of A Well” is poppy in a good way with nice dual harmonies and atmospheric guitar work.

“Leave Of Absence” and “In And of Ice” again reference the dream pop sound with melodies that will linger with you long after the album has stopped playing.

I think “Never Knew” might be my favorite, with a satisfying new wave synth and drum groove. Chau’s vocals here  brings to mind Shirley Manson from Garbage in both her vocal style and pithy one liners like “I was the first to know I was the last in line”.

I think one of the things I like about this release is how diverse the material feels while still sounding like the same band.

“Yellow Cigarette”  is a more upbeat number, replete with cool synth squiggles and hand claps. The song builds slowly adding on guitar lines and feedback before breaking into a slamming beat by drummer Chris Gerbeck followed by some blasting psychedelic guitar. Very catchy and infectious.

“Better” almost has a Phil Spector Wall Of Sound dynamic. Simple yet elegant. I dig.

The album closes with “Face The Eighth” which has that lilting ballad, echo-guitar vibe thing going for it which I’m always a sucker for.

The Barrens are a band that are able to capture the alt-rock 90’s vibe while giving it a new twist., which makes it refreshing in a musical landscape filled with auto-tuned pop awfulness. Give them a listen.

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