There are very few albums these days that keep me coming back again and again. This isn't because there isn't good music coming out...it's more because I listen to so much and I try to keep discovering new music at such an exponential rate that I just don't give good albums the attention I may have once given them. That's why when something keeps me coming back these days, there must be something really damn good about them. That's how Gauntlet Hair have been for me the past few months. These are two guys from Lafayette, CO who have (rightfully so) been slowly gaining to notoriety.
Their self titled debut is nothing short of spectacular. Some have tried calling their music shoegaze, surfgaze (which I actually find the be a really interesting way of describing), progressive...whatever it is, it is really atmospheric indie with guitars drenched in reverb riding along with an incredible pop sensibility. I could easily see the Animal Collective comparisons (or the Surfer Blood comparisons, for that matter), but there is much more immediacy in their music. They have definitely carved their own sound, in my opinion. And much bigger guitars (in fact, it's just guitars and drums...amazing considering the hugeness of their sound). Incredibly layered melodies play off each other in ways that bear repeated listenings to completely appreciate...an accomplishment for 1 guitarist. They released a couple EPs before this release which were good in their own right, but nothing prepared me for the addictiveness of their first LP. It blew my expectations out of the water. It's always refreshing when something like that happens. I can't wait for more.
