Archive for February, 2009
Gumshen – Super Buffet
by gumshen on Feb.02, 2009, under Reviews
Official Post: TheRippleEffect.com; Monday, February 2, 2009; http://ripplemusic.blogspot.com/2009/02/gumshen-super-buffet.html
After a week of what felt like I had competed in a tractor pull sans the tractor, I needed some music that would ease my weary body, mind, and soul. You gotta’ know where I’m coming from. Traffic congestion to and from the office, dealing with people who you’d swear have multiple personalities and aren’t afraid to use them, old coffee left in the coffee pot. It was enough to make me go all Ripple on someone. And then . . . enter Gumshen. It’s almost as if these lads from Seattle were psychically connected with my plight and wanted to do their part to stem the carnage. Super Buffet immediately made its way into my CD player and slowly began to rinse the deluge of the outside world from my being. I’m better now. You can tell the nice people at 911 that it was all just a big misunderstanding.“Start of Something Good” opens with a wall of distorted guitars reminiscent of the early ‘90’s grunge thing, but quickly fades out to a sparse musical piece, driven by understated bass notes and Ron Hippe’s crooning vocals. With all of its musical layers, the song seems longer than its three and half minutes. Dynamics will do that to a song. You know, give it depth. And that’s one of the things that I’ve noticed with this band. Gumshen can take a standard length pop song and add so much character and nuance to it that the song feels more dramatic. Take a listen to the vocal harmonies after the subtle guitar solo, and listen to how the song reaches a beautiful crescendo. Almost likes it’s taking a life of its own.
However, I think Gumshen shine brightest when they bring their sound down to a bare basic nature. “Gone Too Soon” is a show stopper. It’s got this great ‘70’s classic rock, funky jazz vibe going on throughout. Imagine Billy Joel or Elton John with an edgey David Bowie air of showmanship. The vocal performance is littered with soul and the harmonies tug at the heart strings. The guitar solo is one of those additions that provides color and texture to an already vibrant tapestry of sound. Every time this one comes on I have to stop and just listen. Every instrument is played with precise notes and perfect accents. This is a song that could be all over the airwaves. One that could be used to sell a lot full of cars. One that you could hear while shopping for groceries. Now the big question is should it be in all of those places? I would hate to think of this brilliant tune being used for commercialism, but damn it! If it puts money in the pockets of these fine gentlemen . . . well. That’s a decision better left for the band. Truly amazing song! I shit you not . . . this song is climbing my top songs chart in leaps and bounds. Keep an ear out for the radio show. It’ll be spinnin’!
