Painted Ivory - Dizzy House

Painted Ivory

Dizzy House​
self-released; 2016

3.3 out of 5

​By Ted Rogen

Friends who meet in high school and start a band is basically a standard if you are a male. It’s something that’s been happening for decades and feels a bit like a stage in the growing up process. Painted Ivory is in fact one of these bands and also sounds similar to plenty of other bands within their age group. Armed with a couple of guitars, drums, bass and consumer gear to record, the band released Dizzy House.

The band refers to Dizzy House as a mix tape and learning process which sounds about right. Suffice it to say the band has a long way to go to compete with popular indie rock bands like Deerhunter, Grizzly Bear, Local Natives, etc. but everyone has to start somewhere. 

There are some inspired moments along the way and other songs that aren't quite as impressive. One of the band's best splurges of creativity comes on the first song “Terrance.” The song has a fun energy with some notable guitar work. That being said the song waits a little too long to get to the singing. Lyrically the words are ambiguous and open to interpretation. The vocalist sings, “one way or another, / oh they'll fill you up with cellophane / split your oceans into rain / turn your simple mind to shivers.” 

Next up is “She” which contains some solid music. I wish I could understand the lyrics on this song. Whoever is singing sounds awfully depressed. It’s an odd juxtaposition as the music has a jam band type feel. 

“Open Water” is a straightforward rock song without any surprises. It revolves around basic chord progressions and a very different singing style from what was presented before. 

“The Knives” revolves around a couple of chords and singing while “Just Forget” has some notable guitar works and an aggressive, indignant vibe coming from the vocalist. They close with a melodic highlight entitled “Name In The Sand.”

​Painted Ivory is in the embryonic stage of their development and will surely improve as time goes on if they continue to practice and define their sound. The band showcases some talent on this release and as I’ve seen time and time again usually takes some time to reach its potential.

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