Take Notice of The Gay Blades
The duo releases their debut album.
The Gay Blades
Ghosts
Released on Sep 23, 2008
The Gay Blades might sound kind of like a pop-punk act, but the group proudly proclaims themselves as trash pop. You may be wondering, as I did, what the hell is trash pop? According to the band’s MySpace page, trash pop is, “What happens when two keenly observant wanna-be hipsters write and record songs the same pair couldn’t possibly pull off live, and make up for their missing bass player with consistently explosive performances and a heaping spoonful of swagger.” In reading the band’s description, it becomes pretty evident that the duo from New York isn’t your typical two-person rock group.
On their debut release, Ghosts, The Gay Blades throw caution to the wind. The combination of outstanding drumming with some contagious melodies and subject matter that ranges from commonplace to downright strange (mostly the latter) results in a disc that has enough energy to power a small Midwestern town for the better part of a decade. First track “O Shot” is driven almost completely by drummer Puppy Mills’ methodic beat. Distorted guitar and the vocals of Clark Westfield drop in for a sound that is somewhat similar to the White Stripes; but there’s a certain distinct quality in Westfield’s voice that sets him apart from Jack White.
After the first track, things quickly move beyond the scope and energy of what the White Stripes could achieve, so that’s where all comparisons will stop. Fans might note the inclusion of bass on the tracks in spite of the band’s motto, “BUCK FASS.” The majority of the tracks are deeper affairs than it may initially seem. The vocal, guitar and drum tracks all dominate, but underneath is something so subtle that it took a pair of fancy headphones to really make out. Underneath the surface, The Gay Blades have included keyboards, synth, and even some strings to give their usually simple tracks a little something extra.
It would be very easy for all of the tracks on Ghosts to run together, if not for the inclusion of a couple of cuts that completely switch things up. “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Why Can’t I Grow A Beard?” for example, are much slower than the rest of the album, but they don’t feel out of place. Westfield’s voice and the lyrical content of each of the two songs help to tie them in with the whole.
Overall Ghosts does for The Gay Blades what many have tried to do and fail, namely capture some of the energy of the band’s live show. For a band that is so well known for its live show, The Gay Blades show here that they’re definitely not a one trick pony. This very well may be one of the top albums of the year.
High Point
“Hey She Say” will have you dancing the first time you hear it.
Low Point
“We Wear Mittens” is great, but a bit too short and ends up being a little out of place.
Posted by Cory Roop on Oct 10, 2008 @ 7:00 am