Grumsling
A Church, On a Boat, In the Sea
(self-released)

Grumsling is a seriously electric brew of musicians based in San Francisco, CA. Their new album, A Church, On a Boat, In the Sea, reveals some tight songwriting and good clean musicianship. “Tree” a laconic, flangy tune opens, showcasing the men’s mix of vocals, a tricky rock pop sensibility full of surprises, and Rodriguez’s inventive drumming. “Pre-Game” again sees very good drumming with D.J. Lowe following Matt Lowe’s bass with his plinky and tentative piano and torch-song vocalizing. Again the guys change up the tune in places where one would never expect and the light chorus harmonies add to the whole odd, little concoction. There is a light touch to the sing-songy, teasing vocals and guitar flicking to “The Game,” but we are into what I feel is the most interesting territory on all these tracks with “Lightning.” It’s a decidedly slow, sexy track (again Rodriguez’s expert snare leads the way), but with the high vocals and Lowe’s bass, all under the electric piano; this tune mines a true groove to be sure. Things lift with a single guitar lead, the vocal getting ever desperate at times and we are as much in the middle of some almost Pink Floyd soundscapes as we are into a disco. Despite what went on before, this one really surprised me and for my money is the best tune in the bunch.

You can listen to the album here.