As a blogger writing primarily about indie rock music, I get a ton of email requests for reviews of records from bands I've never heard of. OK, "ton" may be a slight exaggeration, but it's probably at least twenty a day, either reviews or release news or concert news, and the majority of the requests are for bands I don't know. I don't mind it, and I wish I had time to actually listen to these bands' records that are being given to me for review. I'm sure there's a ton of wonderful gems that I'm missing and could be among the first to review. But unfortunately, I barely have enough time in my day to keep the blog running let alone listen to a bunch of new bands, so for 99% of these emails they go right into my trash bin unread. I'm sorry, I really am. As someone trying to get his writing published in various outlets, I can definitely appreciate the unsolicited bid for exposure of your creative work. But I just don't have time. So how did Nana Grizol get my attention, enough attention for me to download the album, actually listen to it, and love it so much that I'm reviewing it? Two words: Elephant 6.
Nana Grizol is from Athens, GA, and features singer/songwriter Theo Hilton and a backing band of rotating E6 members and they released a debut album a year ago, called "Love It, Love It". They are back with a followup, titled "Ruth" available in January (or digitally now). Elephant 6 was the musical label for the collective of friends and musicians centered in Athens (and Denver) that included the late, great Neutral Milk Hotel, along with Apples in Stereo, Elf Power, Olivia Tremor Control, and Of Montreal. They even signed some outside bands, such as Beulah, and found quite a bit of acclaim (if not necessarily commercial success) in the late '90s and early '00s. It's no longer around, or not in that form, but several of the bands are actually still putting out records and several artists live on the Orange Twin Conservation Community in Athens. As does Theo Hilton, whose Nana Grizol album is being released on Orange Twin Records, the record label that succeeded Elephant 6 and that's run by Hilton and members of Elf Power.
Here's Orange Twin's "review" of it:
Nana Grizol's second album, "Ruth" is a potent mix of revved up melodic folk punk, laced with intricate horn arrangements and sleazy, ripping guitars. It alternates between contemplative, beautiful folk arrangements and blasting rock and roll, often within the same song. "Cynicism" kicks things off with a haunting finger picked guitar melody, mixed with a lush horn arrangement. "Galaxies" then kicks things into high gear with it's infectious swagger. "Black Box" is an album highlight, with it's urgent, tense backing of a lyrical rumination on mortality. "From Here" opens with a jubilant, group vocal, then channels Neil Young's Crazy Horse for a blazing,energetic guitar workout. "Sands" ends the album with an ominous,horn backed swell that builds into an expertly crafted pop song, leaving off on a dark but hopeful note.
I think that's pretty accurate. My favorite tracks are opener "Cynicism" and the three closing tracks, "Arthur Hall", "For Things That Haven't Come Yet" and "Sand", but in reality they're all really great songs. It's not exactly Neutral Milk Hotel -- they remind me sort of The Rural Alberta Advantage in a way (a completely unknown band who came my way a year ago at this time), but it's a really great record and it's really great to have Elephant 6/Orange Twin live on as we enter a new decade, because there was something truly special about the collective and I'm upset that I didn't learn about it until the early '00s, when it was almost gone. Check out the website and the other resources below. I never ever listen to unsolicited emails, so the fact that I did here must mean something. It's highly recommended.
- Orange Twin Ruth website
- myspace
- Digital Download Available Now!! (album releases on January 10th)
- Brooklyn Vegan blog post about them (including videos)
public yahoo uncertain code available scientific 20th began
Posted by: lorianbour | January 11, 2010 at 08:46 PM