Preview/Live Review: Grand Archives @ Bowery Ballroom [06/13/08]

Grand Archives played their first New York show at the Bowery Ballroom on June 14, and as I promised to write a review and hadn't yet, I decided that I should definitely guarantee that Grand Archives get some press before they play New York again at South Street Seaport next Friday. For the original show at the Bowery, it was first of all great to have the band play in New York. The lineup for the evening was superb, with each band lending a different tone and energy to the night, but each adding to the others. They share much with other Seattle bands in terms of the sound that is coming out of the Sub Pop label this year, with bands like Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses (with whom they shared guitar player/vocalist Mat Brooke).

Hailing from Seattle, of course, Grand Archives recently released their self-titled full-length debut album, The Grand Archives, on Sub Pop earlier this year, opened with "Miniature Birds," a dreamy pop song in which the harmonizing vocals of all 5 band members, along with the rhythmic walking beat, construct sunlight out of nothing. The mellow, yet upbeat, melodies continued as the band moved into "Index Moon," a slightly surreal song that really highlights the band's vocal abilities. I nearly burst out laughing when I heard it, because the band members are typical Pacific Northwesterners, adorned in tattoos, plaid shirts, and denim, with scruffy beards and greasy hair, and to hear them harmonizing so beautifully was a bit disconcerting at first. It was almost like listening to an old barbershop phonograph, sung by lumberjacks.

The energy picked up when the band launched into "Swan Matches," one of my favorite songs. It has a nearly soporific effect on the senses with a plodding rhythm and dreamy lyrics, but this effect is deceptive because when those boys launch into song it just blows you away, like sunshine breaking through clouds on a rainy day. Fittingly, Grand Archives followed this song with the swinging, Beach Boysish energy of "Setting Sun," and then the popular songs "Sleepdriving," a haunting ballad with harmonies that echo easily off each other. Mat tried to change things up a bit by playing a couple of new songs, and the first time they had played live. It was clear that they had a few issues to work on, but I liked it because while a bit darker and (if I remember correctly) in a minor chord, it will flow nicely with their existing music. Hopefully by the time they play at the Seaport they'll have had time to work out the kinks. The band finished the show with a couple of covers ("Saturday Night," by Sam Cooke and "Sundown," by Gordon Lightfoot), which were well-chosen and almost more likeable than the originals, a rare feat!


In the end, Grand Archives totally surprised me with the strength of their music and songwriting abilities. I know this review is ages too old to be posting, but I really hope that some people will read it and come out to see the band at South Street Seaport next Friday. Good new music is always a pleasure to find and listen to, but if you're not in the New York area on August 22, I recommend you get yourself to the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, OR on September 13 or to Neumo's in Seattle on October 4.

Words :: Anna Loosli
Photos :: Dese'Rae L. Stage