Recently — and for several days — my social feeds were flooded with posts about a live performance in Brooklyn by Geese, a band I’d never heard of. The enthusiasm of the sizeable crowd, the glowing comments, and of course the music really piqued my interest. It was a celebration of their latest release. So, I went to Bandcamp to listen to — and eventually buy — the album ‘Getting Killed’. I’m glad I did.
As the story goes, the band tracked the album in just ten days. And it definitely feels that way. I don’t mean rushed or sloppy, it certainly isn’t that. I mean it feels raw, real, and heavy. It both draws the listener in while challenging them to stay. Discordant yet harmonious. Raucous yet organized. Chaotic yet rhythmic. The vocals have a stream-of-consciousness feel and the music wraps around the imagery with an uncomfortable sort of comfort.
There’s a tenderness laced with anger. An energy that can’t be denied. There’s an abruptness as well. Songs shift and turn and even stop unexpectedly. A perfect example is the track ‘Islands of Men’ which starts timidly, builds to a swirling tension, suddenly stops and then awkwardly starts again as if the band were deciding whether or not they should. It’s fascinating just how well it all works.
Other Standout Tracks:
’Trinidad’ – The albums opener kicks off immediately with the bands ability to serve up unease on a platter of ease. Disorderly guitar counterpoints over a hypnotic track, off-putting, unexpected breaks into wrenching outbursts of “There’s a bomb in my car!” over harsh crashes and distortion.
My son is in bed (on and on and on)
My daughters are dead (on and on and on)
My wife’s in the shed (on and on and on)
My husband’s burning lead (on and on and on)
‘Cobra’ – By far the most accessible track on the album. There’s a familiarity to the music but a newness as well. It shows the bands ability to write more pop-oriented songs while keeping their off-center core intact.
Baby, you should be ashamed
You should be shame’s only daughter
Whatever he’s got in his hand
You can get it on your own
’100 Horses’ – Starts out with a brief, chaotic rhythm that evolves into floating syncopation and storytelling. I love the lyrics in this one. Absolutely an example of that stream-of-consciousness style I mentioned. This is my favorite track by the way.
All the people must go dancin’
Out on the dancin’ floor
There are a hundred horses dancin’
Maybe a hundred and twenty four
‘Bow Down’ – Has an inviting quality that draws the listener in with it’s opening riffs. It then takes a darker heavier turn, breaks into a flamenco inspired bridge, then back into its indie rock foundation.
You don’t know what it’s like to bow
down, down, down to Maria’s dead bones
‘Getting Killed’ – The title track is the rocker of the album with it’s solid, latin inspired rhythm, loud guitars and straight ahead yet poetic vocals. A loose feeling bridge takes the feel down and slowly builds intensity back before a sudden and abrupt ending.
My love takes a long time
Longer than a lover can survive
Morning, walk me out of here with no shoes on
And one foot doesn’t want to stay alive
There are so many great tracks on this, the third release by Geese. I’m definitely gonna have to check out the other two. For now though, there’s a lot here to still absorb. For comparison sake; think Radiohead but more aggressive. Sonic Youth but more organized. Tom Waits but more melodic.
Below is a clip of Geese on Jimmy Kimmel Live performing ‘Taxes’. Check out more about them on their website: geeseband.com.
Cheers!
Stephen
