\\GT// - Beats Misplaced
- Written by Lee Hammond
Straight out of Birmingham Alabama and having already found themselves creating a new genre in Space Grunge, \\GT// are set for big things. As Beats Misplaced is unleashed on the unsuspecting public as it thunders into life with the with the aptly grungey 'Growing Together', yet what’s immediately striking about this track is the concurrent spaced out nature of it.
As the whole track is drenched in a wall of reverb, this epic track really sets the tone for things to come, the laidback feel lacking some intensity but this picks up as tracks like 'Rails' show the more angst ridden side of \\GT//. Whilst picking up the pace they still maintain this almost overpowering wall of reverb. The shamanic style chanting of 'Life Is…' has the band providing a slightly different facet to their sound, yet it still maintains this monotonous vibe.
However, 'Something’s Wrong With My Mind' does see the album taking a turn for the more exciting, this upbeat track raises the bar the emphasis of the reverb is fortunately lost for a short while. As the roaring guitars take over in a fashion that is otherwise unheard of on this record, by far the most exciting and enticing track on the album.
The change of pace that was so unexpected is gone all too soon though, and replaced with the monotonous tone that seems to have ruled this record. Once again shrouded in a cloud of reverb that leaves everything else drowned underneath, it’s a shame though because when the band relinquishes their over-reliance on there much loved reverb they sound incredible.
As they close out with 'Real Good Sex', the reverb has been tamed ever so slightly but the vocals still possess a bored tone that lacks any level of enthusiasm. Unfortunately this really softens the impact of the otherwise engaging track as it crackles once again under the strain of the reverb.
Whilst the album overall has some outstanding moments, there is a heavy over reliance on the reverb it detracts from the quality tracks that otherwise underpin the album. When they break free from this they seem to come alive the monotony vanishes almost as quickly as the cloud of reverb and they become an altogether different prospect.
