American indie-pop quintet Gentle Brontosaurus have a serious crush on English melodic bands like the Sundays, The Beautiful South, and Belle & Sebastian. Their new album Three Hares is filled with introverted, melancholic songs about hopes and dreams they had as kids, before the realities of having to arrange proper dental care and death in the family came barging in. That does not mean that they have given up. If anything, indulging in rich poetic imagery that goes way beyond run of the mill love songs - headless torsos, astronomy, tarot cards, cremation to name a few - and baroque pop arrangements can keep the outside world at bay for a little while longer.
The carefully created textures provide a comfortable backing for their songs about feeling lonely and disconnected, although the latter sentiment is embraced as a badge of honour. This is not their first rodeo and their return as a band after a lengthy hiatus gives their fresh stack of material an urgency that grips the listener's attention in a polite, yet firm manner. There are a plethora of what-the-fuck left musical turns hidden in plain sight. No spoilers, but be prepared to give this album multiple spins to collect them all.
Gentle Brontosaurus:
Anneliese Valdes: bass, backing vocals
Scott Stetson: guitar
Huan-Hua Chye: lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
Nick Davies: lead vocals, keyboards, trumpet
Paul Marcou: drums, backing vocals
Three Hares is a self-released album (CD, digital). Buy it from their website. Release date: February 13.
Tracks:- Luxury Bones
- Major Arcana
- My Favorite Monster
- Tumbleweed
- Edge to Lose
- Bend the Knee
- Cassini
- Agatha's Ashes
- Loneliest Bird
- Blue
- Feeling of an Earthquake
- 02/14 Madison, WI @ Crystal Corner
(album release show w/ The Earthlings, Marigold Motel and Raddish)
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