Album: The Grand Archives [Slipcase] *

Song Title

Time

Torn Blue Foam Couch

Miniature Birds

Swan Matches

Index Moon

George Kaminski

Setting Sun, A

Breezy No Breezy - (instrumental)

Sleepdriving

Louis Riel

10)

Crime Window, The

11)

Orange Juice

Album: The Grand Archives [Slipcase] *

Song Title

Time

Torn Blue Foam Couch

Miniature Birds

Swan Matches

Index Moon

George Kaminski

Setting Sun, A

Breezy No Breezy - (instrumental)

Sleepdriving

Louis Riel

10)

Crime Window, The

11)

Orange Juice

Performer Notes

Grand Archives: Ron Lewis (vocals, guitar, piano, organ); Jeff Montano (vocals, bass guitar); Thomas Wright (guitar); Curtis Hall, Mat Brooke.
Personnel: Mat Brooke (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Ron Lewis (vocals, guitar, piano, organ); Curtis Hall (vocals, drums, percussion); Jeff Montano, Jenn Ghetto, Sera Cahoone (vocals); Thomas Wright (guitar); Sarah Standord (violin); Joel Cuplin (saxophone); Jason Parker (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Additional personnel: Jason Kardong (pedal steel guitar); Jacob James (French horn); Vincent Labelle (trombone); Sarah Standord, Jenn Ghetto, Joel Cuplin, Sera Cahoone, Jason Parker.
Audio Mixer: Greg Calbi.
Recording information: Four Sticks Studio, Seattle, WA; Mysterious Red X Studio, Seattle, WA; Paradise Sound, Index, WA.
Photographer: Whitney Etter.
Fronted by singer/guitarist Mat Brooke (ex-Band of Horses and Carissa's Weird), Grand Archives hit the ground running on their 2008 self-titled Sub Pop debut, unfurling compelling vocal harmonies, dreamy melodies, and subtle rhythms. Considerably less rocked-out than Band of Horses, the Seattle-based ensemble often calls to mind an indie-rock Byrds, with most of the quintet sharing singing duties, and with bright, airy arrangements informing almost every song on the album (see the breezy "Miniature Birds" and the pleasantly drifting "Sleepdriving"). One of the most impressive and assured offerings of early '08, GRAND ARCHIVES bodes well for Brooke and his talented bandmates.

Professional Reviews

Uncut (p.90) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]hey cleverly change the mood with the delightfully bonkers dub-and-melodica instrumental 'Breezy No Breezy'..."

Q (Magazine) (p.107) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Opener 'Torn Blue Foam Couch' sets the tone with its classy AOR reminiscent of a more subtle Feeling..."

Mojo (Publisher) (p.114) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Highlights include pitch-perfect Bee Gees update 'Index Moon' and 'Sleepdriving''s velvet vocal and strings mesh."