Thursday, May 29, 2014

Band Review: Slim Wray


Slim Wray is an alternative rock band based in Brooklyn.

Initially I was thinking they were English, because there are spots where they felt very British Invasion to me. Maybe it was because they covered "Gloria", but the band also lists the Animals and the Kinks as influences, so it kind of makes sense. There's a pair of pants in their video for "Bear" that certainly looks like they could come from the '60s.

Some of that is the willingness to incorporate other sounds. The intro to "Bear" sounds a little bit Eastern influenced, whereas "I Gotta Girl (With a List of Needs)" is more reminiscent of surf music, but fuzzier. They have some interesting combinations, but always solidly rock.

The benefit from simplicity. Pared down to drums and guitar, the instruments come through strong. Sometimes rhythm and percussion seems to dominate, like on "Cutout", and other times there are more complicated melodies, as on "Long Long Way." Still solidly rock.

Their album, Sack Lunch, is available via Amazon and iTunes.




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