Friday, November 4, 2011

Recent commentary on Good King Friday's newly-released album:
Good King Friday is an ambitious new collaboration from six classically-trained rock aficianados with far-flung roots in Oklahoma, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Canada, and equally ecclectic tastes. The group operates as a collective in the classic sense of the word; each member adds an interesting element to the whole.  Fantastic harmony, arpeggiated polyrhythms and unique orchestration combine over a bed of minor tonalities and modal melodies with powerful female vocals that tie the entire ensemble together. This is art rock that caters to a new generation that is no longer satiated by guitar rock cliches. Their eponymous album is a feat in duality: cohesive and exciting, technically accomplished and creatively orchestrated, deep but still fun, and all-in-all refreshing.

Listen if you like:

Atonal and classical influence, along with a popular/rock vibe

Insightful lyrics

Sufjan Stevens's and Owen Pallett's lush orchestration

- Alissa Nicole