Gold Standard

CDEP

Written by: DR on 14/12/2010 22:13:09

Who are Gold Standard? Initially I was stumped, because there was nothing on their last.fm or Myspace page. I had this whole introduction panned out about how I couldn't find anything information whatsoever about this band, and then I realised something. Bands don't use Myspace anymore (nor me... ahem), they use Bandcamp now! So I check their Bandcamp. Lo and behold, text! Information about Gold Standard! Did you know that Gold Standard is three men who have all been involved with the Atlanta music scene for over ten years now? I didn't, but I'm glad I do because I now have some sort of context to put "CDEP" in.

[Go ahead and scroll down and press play on the flashy Bandcamp player, the rest of this review will still be here when you get back - and that's a promise]

That context helps, although I'd like to think that's the kind of thing I'd have assumed anyway. For you see nerds (you're not really nerds, I just love 30 Rock so much), they all have an incredible wealth of talent to call upon while they're busy constructing some of the craziest instrumental music I've heard. Each instrument (bass, guitar and drums) could easily be improvising as they go along, it's that hectic, but their experience allows them to keep a relatively tight reign, as not to wander off into pointless soundscapes or down needless tangents. Everything is thought out and measured, and deliberately complex. The drums, courtesy of Lee Corum, in "Blues" really caught my ear; it's rare that a drummer is allowed so much room at the forefront of the song, especially when they have a guitarist who crafts those intricate riffs like it's nothing. "Motor Skills Are Hard To Control" is guitarist George Asimakos' time to shine, more so than in the two previous songs - he sounds like he's playing without a care in the world, adding all sorts of "wah-wah" effects, which makes the guitar sound like it laughing. That sounds cool, right? Hell yeah it does! Don't think I forgot about that bass player Chris Ware though, because I actually did. However, that's indicative of the role he plays: undeniably talented, his main duty is to hold together their sound with a groovy bass line, making them sound "thicker".

I've probably rambled on enough, but that's what their music makes me feel like doing. Their craziness has got to me, cos since I've been listening to "CDEP" all I felt like doing, and I have done, is typetypetypetype. If you play an instrument, you might feel like getting it out and "jamming". So, um, yeah... engaging, encouraging and exciting instrumental rock that comes highly recommended.

Download: Motor Skills Are Hard To Control, Blues
For The Fans of: (early)65daysofstatic meets And So I Watch You From Afar, Don Caballero
Listen: Bandcamp

Release Date 01.01.2010
Self-Released

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