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Coastal Remedy
To the World
(Seven Fields Entertainment)
www.coastalremedy.com
This full-length is a follow-up to the Indiana, Pa.-based band’s self-titled debut, which came out two years ago. My quibble with the debut was that it was all over the place; this one shows the four-piece spent time honing its material and maturing. Each song follows from the last, and Coastal Remedy has found its sound: somewhere between singer-songwriter pop, grunge and late-’90s emo-core. Acoustic guitar underlies much of the material, but most of it has a loud, rock-band finish. Even the odd instrumental finds its place in the larger landscape of the album. At just shy of an hour total, it might be a bit much to digest as one album — the inherent risk is that even fans won’t often make it to track 14, if anyone still listens to an album through these days — but it’s conceptual and well-planned regardless.
Come Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit
(Self-released)
www.facebook.com/comeholyspiritpgh
Eight-track full-length cassette release from the project of Gina Favano with Sam Pace (Gangwish) and Aaron Lindberg (Lungs Face Feet) backing her up. Polyrhythms and semitones bring a non-Western feel to much of this release; Favano’s singing often rests between incantation and spiritual. The first several tracks are moody and unresolved, but they give way in the end to the more free-and-easy “Too Many Damn Sticks” and the exuberant “Grand Island.” Shades of David Byrne, only less reserved, or maybe art-pop minus most of the pop.
This article appears in Dec 17-23, 2014.
I think the reviewer intended positive remarks on the Coastal Remedy new release, To The World… however, it left me wondering if he actually listened to the whole thing. Each track is more amazing than the last, culminating with the heartfelt and moving “Frozen” at the end of 14 incredible tracks. No, I have no personal interest in them ~ I am simply a dedicated fan. There is so much intensity and talent here, and they are still young. Most bands couldn’t produce a better album after years in the business. Expect more fantastic things from them. They are oozing creativity and soul. See them live if you get the chance!!