Seryn - This Is Where We Are (2011)

"A fan named Callie had emailed us about Seryn way back in January. Told us that we would definitely like them based on the other music we like. Turns out Callie was right. Thanks Callie. It also turns out that I have the memory of a jellyfish as I promptly forgot about them. I d like to thank my kids, Teddy, Rosie and Hank, for turning my brain into mush. So who is Seryn? Glad you asked. They are a 5 piece folkie-Americana outfit out of Denton, TX. Yes, that is the hometown of Midlake. Much like The Low Anthem, they seem to have a penchant for playing musical chairs with instruments from song to song and the music is laid out in beautiful arrangements with lovely harmonies. Also, like The Low Anthem, there seems to be a great deal of thought in the songwriting process. But in terms of sound, they really remind me The Wilderness of Manitoba and in spots, Typhoon. Their songs have a way of slowly building and taking, long, meandering turns. Many of the tunes clock in at over 5 minutes with gentle ebbs and flows, as if you re floating and experiencing beauty for the first time. This feeling is best illustrated in two tunes that land in the middle of the album. You ll hear gentle acoustic and banjo picking over some wonderful harmonies just repeating Towering. Enter some violin and it serves as an interlude in the album. I was literally drifting off into a peaceful coma when, at about 2:50 in, I heard a gentle voice count to six. I thought it was Jesus coming to get me. Alas, it was the second part of this gorgeous tune that builds into a gentle climax before letting you down oh so easy. Our Love carries many of the same characteristics but is vastly different. It s a slow build, this time using the deep cello and a repetitive simple guitar riff. Much like Other Lives they combine simplicity with complex ideas to create some unique artistry. When Our Love slowly comes out of its bridge around 3:30 minutes it, you are treated to something to special. I just name-checked four of my favorite new bands around in this review so that should give you an idea of how much I dig these guys. I suppose they just need some hipster cred and then everybody will hop on the bandwagon and they ll really start making some noise. One other reviewer even compared them to early Arcade Fire. Oh no they didn t. Oh yes they did!" - Hear Ya