Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Chris Robinette - Many Houses, and a Few Haunted

7/15/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Chris Robinette

Many Houses, and a Few Haunted
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Chris Robinette is a twenty-three year old musician/producer located in Boone, North Carolina. His recent release Many Houses, and a Few Haunted is a complete DIY effort that was done with a minimal setup. Before we get into the music I have to say that Robinette did a good job with recording, mixing and mastering of the album. Although it is shy from something you would expect from a professional studio Robinette has got an ear for mixing elements in an aesthetically pleasing way. 

The story is a bit odd and a somewhat unbelievable but it deserves some mention. Many Houses, and a Few Haunted is a literal title of him moving to seven or eight different houses and spotting a ghost in two of the houses. Is this what actually happened or was it just something in his mind? Who knows, either way one thing the album does have is a haunting aura, which is mostly made via hall reverb. In fact a lot of the songs feel like mood pieces rather than a standard pop song following a verse/chorus/verse structure. I often was reminded of some of the earlier work of the solo project from Bradford Cox's Atlas Sound. 

The songs play mantras that are hypnotic and sometimes eerily beautiful. Take for instance the opener “Quitter” which revolves around the lines “No I don't, But I do.” Robinette repeats the words over and over again as they get layered with more elements and lyrics. The bass drum could have benefited with a dip in some of the lower frequencies but overall the song is very enjoyable.

“Favorite Dress” feels a little bit more like a pop song as it has more lyrics and compartmentalized sections. I got a Local Natives vibe on this song from the lush vocal harmonies. That being said I could barely understand any of the lyrics because they are coated in so much reverb. 

Robinette really nails the production and mix with “Contained, Gracious.” The song has plenty of space and an ample amount of elements. “Contained, Gracious” is one of the highlights on the album. Robinette doesn’t always cram in a lot of elements as we see with “His Quiet Glory.” The cascading vocal harmonies feel like a mirror to Julianna Barwick although I still couldn’t make out any of the lyrics.

Some songs like “I Don't Wanna Go to Bible Study Anymore” feel out of place. “I Don't Wanna Go to Bible Study Anymore” is a dissonant rocker that while sometimes engaging fell a bit flat. 

My advice to Robinette would be to ease off on reverb or at least start EQing it so some of the songs aren’t muddy and the vocals are clear. Other than that this is a solid effort with a number of good songs. With a little bit of tweaking Robinette could certainly be a prolific artist. 
reverbnation
bandcamp
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact