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The members of New York’s The Archive have been at this crazy little thing called rock for a long time, though exactly how long is between the band and their Rock God. However, the four of them claim a musical vita that cites influences as diverse as Paul Westerberg’s intimate brand of American punk to the Southern folk styling of Gillian Welch, and even a little early shoegaze for good measure. Strictly speaking, a band with this many ties to multiple genres does not produce a straightforward interpretation of contemporary rock, and their debut record is proof of something stirring.
Great Low Down opens with “Julia, Dear,” a nod to the band’s punk sensibility, though slightly countered by a soaring melody. There’s an absence of the biting snarl preferred by vintage punkers and their new age protégé; instead, singer John Epperly sounds less disgruntled as he does worn in. Never more so than on “Kid Glove Tangerine,” a very Westerberg-esque self-designated state of weariness (“You took your tongue tearing apart…me”) or the album’s closer, “Black Rain,” that wanders without a destination and feels like the lyrical equivalent of restless legs. Of course, The Archive can bring it on when they want to, and “Holy Ground” boasts a guitar-driven fury that reminds us this is not a band so easily compartmentalized. As a whole, Great Low Down suggests a symbolic clock is ticking and the band—while somewhat disillusioned by the state of things—can’t help but chase the elusive white rabbit, reason be damned.
Watch the video for “Julia, Dear”
Great Low Down opens with “Julia, Dear,” a nod to the band’s punk sensibility, though slightly countered by a soaring melody. There’s an absence of the biting snarl preferred by vintage punkers and their new age protégé; instead, singer John Epperly sounds less disgruntled as he does worn in. Never more so than on “Kid Glove Tangerine,” a very Westerberg-esque self-designated state of weariness (“You took your tongue tearing apart…me”) or the album’s closer, “Black Rain,” that wanders without a destination and feels like the lyrical equivalent of restless legs. Of course, The Archive can bring it on when they want to, and “Holy Ground” boasts a guitar-driven fury that reminds us this is not a band so easily compartmentalized. As a whole, Great Low Down suggests a symbolic clock is ticking and the band—while somewhat disillusioned by the state of things—can’t help but chase the elusive white rabbit, reason be damned.
Watch the video for “Julia, Dear”
The Archive are John Epperly (vocals/guitar), John MacDonald (guitar), Dan Bombach (bass/vocals), and Tim Perzan (drums). Great Low Down drops Nov. 2 and The Archive plays Zebulon in Brooklyn that night (details below). For more information, visit the band’s Facebook page. You can stream the album on Soundcloud and purchase a digital version via Bandcamp on the release date.
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THE ARCHIVE
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The Archive Record Release Show (w/ Your 33 Black Angels)
Zebulon 258 Wythe Ave. (at Metropolitan) Brooklyn, NY 11211 9 p.m. FREE |
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