It has been a long time since indie rock has seen a change in direction, and Geese’s record seems to have sparked a diversion. The band’s frontman, Cameron Winter, has an off-kilter, vibrato-filled approach to vocals that, in a sea of reverb-filled whines, finds a unique perspective.
Their latest record, “Getting Killed,” opens with the explosive ‘Trinidad.’ I first heard this song on YouTube when a studio’s page uploaded for the first time in years, showcasing a performance from Geese. I clicked on, surprised by the upload after an extended hiatus, and to my surprise, stumbled upon the group.
Trinidad is explosive, and unlike anything I had heard before. I was hooked by the chorus where Winter shouts erratically as if in a cataclysmic event, “There’s a bomb in my car.” The song is terribly unique compared to most modern indie rock.
One of my favorite tracks on the record is “Husbands.” The song begins with drums that beat like false steps on rounded stones while a lazy guitar riff weaves itself in between Winter’s lyrics. I thought their guitarist, Emily Green, killed this song with her hypnotic riffs. The song is calm with a cloudy overhang, perfect for a lazy day out. The track seemed derivative of some ‘90s Malkmus work or someone like Beck. I adored it. The track comes off as sleepy, droopy and dazed in all the best ways.
“Islands of Men” opens with a click track and a looping guitar chord. The song reminds me of “All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem in the same sort of way with the repeating chords and achey feel. A minute in Winter’s vocals come in, and it sounds as if he’s projecting from inside your head. The mixing is phenomenal, everything sounds crystal clear. The guitar stays tight and builds for the first half of the track before you reach this part around a minute in, where the drums get louder and the bass comes in; it nearly made me cry the first time I heard it. The blend of Winter’s listless cries and the instrumental’s weight is so deeply emotional. The hit akin to a dam breaking; it all pours out at once.
The album overall is cohesive, unique and forward. The songwriting is beautiful. The tones aren’t the same fuzz or distortion that seems to be plaguing every new band these days and the record flows. Check it out!
