•
Rating:
Alex G, stage name of Alex Giannascoli, makes his debut on Domino Records with this "Beach Songs" after various independent releases on Bandcamp and an album, DSU (released on Orchid Tapes, a small independent label from Brooklyn) highly praised by the US critics.
The basic framework of Giannascoli's sound remains unchanged: it starts from an indie/lo-fi base, then often and willingly shifts, track by track, into unpredictable territories. The main merit of “Beach Songs” is, in fact, a convincing underlying coherence despite the frequent variations in tone. As if we were looking at a series of clearly drawn paintings by the same painter, but, although the style is recognizable, each work was imbued with a certain personality. A personality that allows Alex to hold together an overall picture that would otherwise be too disconnected.
The first single “Bug” is delightful, placed right after the opener, starting from the pumpkins-like atmospheres of “Today” and transforming into a skewed and wacky piece but undoubtedly spot on. The "Chipmunk" style voice enriching the track near the end is quite distinctive. Remarkable too is “Kicker”, although here we are in purely pavement-like territory.
“Brite Boy” sounds as if the Beatles were filtered through Sebadoh, while “In Love”, by far the best track of the work, fully demonstrates the potential of this American guy. It's a subdued and haunting ballad, with a delicate piano riff and a lovely sax accompanying throughout the length of the piece.
After a middle section that is stranger and less calibrated on predictable coordinates, the sound returns to being guitar-dominated, sometimes more complete (“Ready”, “Snot”), sometimes more original (“Station”). There is even space for the vitaminized shoegaze reminiscent of early Verve in the instrumental “Walk”.
A good effort by Alex G, which partially justifies the label of “new Beck”, given the similarities between the two artists, and establishes him as one of the most promising names in American indie.
Hoping his work continues to grow in personality and definition.
Best track: In Love
Loading comments slowly
