Girls at the Pearl Concert Theatre, Las Vegas, Oct 2 2010. Robyn Hanson photo for The Snipe
Girls’ Father, Son, Holy Ghost an instant classic
– by Andrew Livingstone
Like rabid dogs, music fans and critics will jump at the chance to rip apart an artist for mimicking a past sound, artist, and/or song. Think washed-up Aussie rockers Jet and their Iggy Pop-“Lust for Life”-sounding “Are You Going To Be My Girl” – they took a lot of crap for that, and they weren’t even that good.
Enter Girls. Guitarist and lead singer Christopher Owens, unassuming and awkward, brings listeners a record full of familiarity – songs overflowing with sounds of rock and pop albums past. In their second full-length release, Girls – made up of Owens and bassist Chet White – the fuzz-rock duo bring a beautifully-mutated sound to the table, a step up and far left from their first LP, Album. Owens’ vocals are simply melodic, like on “Vomit”, which is a melancholic ode to roaming the streets looking for a lost lover. It rips and rises into an explosive, garage rock sound – dark, dirty and grungy with a climactic ending reminiscent of Dark Side of the Moon-era Pink Floyd.
“Vomit”, in itself, reflects an album laced with reinvented sound. The sounds of the freak-folk sixties, garage rock of the seventies and hair rock of the eighties and melted down, reformed and repackaged into something extraordinary. On first listen it’s like hearing an album you’ve heard before.
In the early stages of a band’s career, it’s a crapshoot whether or not the group will ever amount to any sort of substantial career. This is far from the case with Father, Son, Holy Ghost. From the head-banging riffs of “Die” to the Hammond organ-laced “Love Like A River”, the album drips with the feel of instant classic.
Father, Son, Holy Ghost has the potential to vault Girls into uncharted, unexpected territory. The tight, eclectic 11-track album feels like home – cozy and comfortable like a warm blanket. During a time when hundreds of artists are trying to etch their name in the music world, Girls has done so on only their second full-length release.
Standing the test of time is difficult for any new band. But it’s safe to say Father, Son, Holy Ghost will likely do just that for Girls.
Girls at the Pearl Concert Theatre, Las Vegas, Oct 2 2010. Robyn Hanson photo
Girls tour dates:
Sep 14 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Sep 15 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
Sep 16 Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
Sep 17 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
Sep 19 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Sep 20 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts
Sep 22 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Sep 23 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Sep 24 Boston, MA – Paramount Center
Sep 25 Montreal, QC – Corona Cabaret (POP Montreal Festival)
Sep 27 Toronto, ONT – Mod Club Theatre
Sep 29 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Sep 30 Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
Oct 01 Minneapolis, MN – First Ave Nightclub
Oct 04 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
Oct 05 Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
Oct 06 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Oct 08 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Oct 09 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
