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

Growing Stone - Growing Stone

10/9/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Growing Stone

Growing Stone
self-released; 2015

3.6 out of 5

​By J Simpson

Growing Stone's short self-titled EP Growing Stone promises great things to come from New York's Skylar Sarkis, working in close collaboration with producer Jon Markson.

Many reviewers will dismiss a record for being too all-over-the-place, too-unfocused, too packed-full-of-ideas. While this can be a bad thing, in the case of a sprawling 30-track double-LP, which is already exhausting to get through, I still feel like these listeners are missing the point, overlooking a potentially good thing. A wide range of tones, textures and tempos indicates a musician with ambition and ideas.

Growing Stone's eponymous debut EP is only three short tracks, never repeating itself, moving deftly in and out of styles. Sarkis and Markson have a history together playing punk rock, but Growing Stone finds the pair bringing in dark alt country influences, such as the dearly departed Sparklehorse (R.I.P.). Even before reading the press release, I was jotting down low-key crooners like Crooked Fingers or Tindersticks, with Growing Stone having a similar laidback swagger and lowdown groove.

The difference being, Growing Stone has that same stately serenity as someone like Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen, but Skylar Sarkis is missing the miserablist bone. Here is mellow, pretty, emotive folk-ish rock that is actually uplifting at the same time. On opener and closer "Fly Blood and Lilacs" and "There's Always A Block In My Mind," the duo, joined by drums and trumpets, manages to be both relaxed and relaxing, while still sounding exciting! It's the sound of confidently rushing into the future, while keeping an eye on the rearview.

Fans of the downbeat Americana of the TV series True Detective, either season, will especially appreciate the last track "There's Always A Block In My Mind," which is built around a sedated jazz electric piano. It's an excellent way to end a very promising EP! I eagerly await the debut LP
Become A Fan
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

    February 2021
    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