MP3: A Gilbert Play - All together now
A Gilbert Play's new album "lay-by" is unassuming to the point of near-invisibility. I swear I must've listened to the disc 5 or 6 times looking for a standout track to post with no luck. Which is not to say it's no good, it's more that it's emotionally flat, content to hover in the realm of quiet and mysterious without ever sticking its head above the surface. The band hasn't progressed too much from their previous release -- they're still mining the same 90s-era postrock textures ala Tortoise, mixing jazz, electronics and other elements into a mish-mash of sound. "All together now" only has a touch of the playfulness they sometimes exhibit; instead, it's more of a furrowed-brow work requiring a steady hand and pulse. Flickers of sunshine come up here and there, but they mostly keep it on the serious tip, heads down, no eye contact, floating onwards. There's an intricacy to the arrangement, but you gotta strain to hear it. Listen casually and it'll float on by.
A Gilbert Play - All together now