[rating=4.00]
Improvising the rules of what a Seattle band is supposed to sound like, Grand Archives honor the flannel, but sew in 4/5 part sunny vocal harmonies, feel-good whistling, brass instruments and a bunch of ooo la la’s that are more The Polyphonic Spree than Modest Mouse on The Grand Archives, their self-titled debut.
Fronted by ex Band or Horses, Carissa’s Weird front-man Mat Brooke, Grand Archives have much of the BOH aching wistfulness but with a hopeful leaning. Leaving the woe behind is what keeps Grand Archives from sounding like a Band of Horses spin-off, and like fellow California sound revivalists The Thrills, they owe a debt of thanks to CSN&Y, The Beach Boys and some of Motown.
From the dreamy harmonies in the opener “Torn Blue Foam Couch,” there’s immediately something 60’s going on here as Brooke sings “Hey darlin’ don’t you look fine/the dull look in your eyes/you’re terrified” as the song evolves into a full on jubilee with horns piping in at the end. “Miniature Birds,” gallops about in a feel-good skip that’s more San Fran than Pac Northwest and “A Setting Sun” is given a breezy country western feel courtesy of some timely pedal steel.
Although Brooke’s earnest voice is the lead instrument, he mixes up the background scenes in “Sleep Driving, ” which reflects what label mates Iron & Wine might sound like with broader instrumentation while “Louis Riel” might be the records only toss-away. If psychedelic pop isn’t your thing, “The Crime Window,” is the one song that breaks that glow in favor of a pop punk anthem. The sun doesn’t shine a whole lot in Seattle, but Grand Archives reflect an inner vivaciousness typically not heard in our rainy northwest corner.
