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innerspaceboy · 04-12-2017, 06:25 PM

The Gris Gris - The Gris Gris

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
Neo-psych meets indie/garage… I’m looking forward to this.

2. What did you think of the opening track?
The mellow build was enjoyable. TechnicLePanther’s describing it as a slow boil was quite on point. I dig music which abandons the tired and trite ego of standard rock fare, and this record is quickly shaping up to be my cup of tea. And the opening reminded me very much of “Words” by Low, which is great in my book.

3. What did you think of the next track?
The Floydian influence is certainly evident, whether intended or not, and it’s not at all a bad thing. The indie flavor stirred into this psychedelic gumbo adds something novel to the work, (at least, for me).

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
Ashley’s vocal performance is characteristically suitable for the genre. It’s nothing particularly remarkable, but it works well for its intended purpose. “Mary #38” was an instant favorite, and it took me a few minutes to connect the familiar melody in my memory but at last I arrived at the relation - the song bears a striking structural similarity to “Road to Peace” by Tom Waits from the Brawlers disc of the Orphans - Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards set.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?
The instrumentation is an excellent blend of vintage psych with 90s and early 2000s indie, and the result is impressively satisfying.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
I continued to enjoy each new selection for the unique element it added to the whole. “Me Queda Um Bejou” was intriguing in its stripped-bare simplicity and its subtle instrumentation. Each instrument added something to the mix and I really found myself sinking into it.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
I was less-focused on the lyrics themselves, instead letting my attention drift naturally from soloing instruments to percussion to bass lines following the gentle, ever-shifting focus of the record. I was more interested in the overall “feel” of the music, which seems appropriate for a psych LP.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?
Very much so. (See above)

9. What did you think of the production?
Both the performance and the production have a lackadaisical quality which function well for a psych album. I dig it.

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
No. First-ever listen.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
I have only a few psych essentials in my library, but this is certainly something I would spin again in the future.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
I had to get to bed straight after the first listen.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
I think this album functions better as a whole instead of as isolated tracks.

14. And the one you liked least?
N/A

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
This appears to be their first album, and I think they did a fantastic job with it.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
RYM suggests that their first effort was their strongest. As I don’t spin psych that often, I’d probably just stick with this LP.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
The opening minute of the record intrigued me, and the rest of the record didn’t let me down. Not exactly surprised, but delighted.

18. Did the album end well?
“Winter Weather” sounds like a very deliberate tribute to One Way Streets’ “We All Love Peanut Butter” from 1966. (Though I know the track best from the Ass Pony’s cover.) It never hurts to end with something familiar.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
I like it just the way it is.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
Its cohesiveness is one of the album’s greatest strengths. Definitely enjoyable from start to finish.

9/10