Walk With A Shadow: A Brief Review Of The New Album From Giant Day (The Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, Marshmallow Coast)

Anything associated with the Elephant 6 collective is going to get my attention. That said, the new one from Giant Day veers away from what you'd expect of any band with connections to that scene. Glass Narcissus, from Derek Almstead (Circulatory System, The Olivia Tremor Control, The Glands, Elf Power, Of Montreal) and Emily Growden (Marshmallow Coast, Faster Circuits, The New Sound of Numbers) use the music of Giant Day to push forward a sleek, New Wave-inspired brand of modern indie.

"Ignore the Flood" marries Emily's warm vocals with bass and keyboard figures which suggest a debt owed to Kraftwerk and the bands they themselves inspired, like Eighties-era New Order. Elsewhere, the excellent "Suspended Animation" features Kate Bush-style vocals from Emily and varied instrumentation from her and Derek. The number is nimble and spry, as is "Walk with a Shadow", a moody, down-tempo gem which allows the duo to share vocal duties. The best track here is the riveting "We Were Friends", a brooding slow-burner which erupts into a chorus full of passion. This is closer to a vibe like early Interpol than anything from Elf Power, for example, and the smart and precise presentation renders this selection an absolute stunner.

Glass Narcissus is a record full of sleek surfaces, like those of electro-pop bands from earlier ages, even as there's a very American warmth here reminiscent of that of the best acts from the Nineties on these shores. Giant Day have served up a record full of pleasures for a listener here, and those are ones quite far removed from the bands these two were parts of in the past. This is an ambitious album, but still a warm one thanks to the musical touches from Derek and the vocals from Emily.

Glass Narcissus by Giant Day is out on August 23 via The Elephant 6 Recording Co..

[Photo: Derek Almstead]