Grand Archives: Keep In Mind Frankenstein (2009)

New Wax


Grand Archives, a Seattle band led by Mat Brooke, who was formerly in the lesser-known yet notable Carissa's Wierd and indie it-band Band Of Horses, is back with a new album entitled Keep In Mind Frankenstein. While the mellow, harmony-driven pop aesthetic exhibited on their self-titled debut album is extended on the new album, Brooke and company take a notable step towards Americana on Keep In Mind. The gorgeous "Oslo Novelist" opens with a reverb-heavy guitar riff that is soon joined by intoxicating pedal steel, while the acoustic-based "Left For The Strays" incorporates harmonica. Another highlight is "Dig That Crazy Grave," which melds Grand Archives' pension for Beach Boys-esque harmonies with a jangly shuffle suitable for a bevy of folk artists. While the band's pool of influences seems vast, Keep In Mind Frankenstein harnesses a variety of seemingly incompatible genres into something that sounds, for the most part, fresh and new. There are some disjointed moments, like the unnecessary instrumental shuffle of "Siren Echo Valley Part 2," but that's just nitpicking. Whether you're keen on Americana or you prefer harmony-rich indie-pop, Keep In Mind Frankenstein has plenty to offer. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: Grand Archives - Oslo Novelist
MP3: Grand Archives - Silver Among The Gold

Tags: Grand Archives, Keep In Mind Frankenstein