[I call this an exclusive because this is the first blog to contain an honest-to-god review of this 7-inch record; P4K only ran a small blurb about what they thought it would sound like; peckers, they.]
On their most-recent record Monster Head Room Ganglians became the first indie-rock band I’ve heard that truly, truly ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE THE BEACH BOYS IN THEIR PRIME (and that goes for Brian Wilson solo and the ACTUAL BEACH BOYS since their prime).
With the comparison being thrown around so much — and confusingly directed at bands like Beachwood Sparks and Sun Araw — it was nice to hear a group that really did delve into whimsical vocals and soprano harmonies without embarrassing themselves. As such it’s been one of my favorite albums of the year thus far.
“Blood on the Sand,” while it nods to the tropical beach-bum craze sweeping the nation with groups like Wavves, Sun Araw and many more, is actually more guilty of a general ’60s fixation — mixed with cues from the ’80s like My Bloody Valentine mix fades and vocal tics redolent of Tears For Fears.
“I don’t wanna see your face again,” the singer states, backed by a Wilson-brothers harmony; “I don’t know what to say about that,” he continues, before a GIGANTIC ending chorus reminds that “special someone” that their face won’t be seen again, or at least doesn’t want to be seen again.
Hearing this track I’m again reminded of The Cyrkle, but there are also bits of The Ingelligence and Echo & The Bunnymen; the track’s spread all over the goddamn place.
“Make it Up” is the flip side and it’s a lot more of a straight-up Beach Boys vamp. It’s got that lilting vocal, the Brian Wilson-esque moment where he raises his voice right before the chorus and, most importantly, it’s got more of that ingenious soprano back-up singing.
Not to mention that the crux of the track is the line, “And I’m feelin’ so sad,” as if Pet Sounds needed a last-minute gap-plugger for a reissue and Ganglians were consulted. As always though, there’s so much more going on.
There’s some nice indie guitar arpeggios, insistent bassery, some wanky six-string solo-ing and a general feel of echo-drenched madness permeates.
Ganglians have done it again! Stay tuned; these guys won’t be out of the Grove for long …
