Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

This is a CD that I would have to listen to with my eyes closed and my wide open. I had to read the lyrics and think about them some in order to understand the message of the song. The songs are lovely and leave you in a pleasant mood.  The mood on each track enhances the feelings imparted by the lyrics.

Most of the song are slow, but there are a few up-tempo numbers. While the songs require you to think, George Kaminski and Louis Riel might require you to do a little research. George Kaminski became my favorite song after I learned who Kaminski is and what he did. The song is slow, simple and dreamy, while the lyrics and the story attach to it inspire you to look at the bright side of things. Torn Blue Foam Couch sets the tone for the album. It starts off slow and dreamy and builds into an up-tempo song that uplifts your mood. The Crime Window is a fast tempo song with a catchy chorus.  While the song is up beat it still has the same kind of whimsical vocals, which I liked. There is one song on the album that is just instrumental called Breezy No Breezy, which was a song that made me feel relaxed.

Lead singer Mat Brooke, who was a member of the bands Band of Horses and Carissa’s Weird, started Grand Archives in 2006 with his friends Curtis Hall, Jeff Montano and Ron Lewis. Thomas Wright joined the band shortly after.

All of the songs on this album painted a picture in my mind. It’s a CD I would listen to if I were in a funk and need to be lifted gentle from.  The vocals, music and lyrics all come together nicely and leave you feeling in a good mood and more relaxed.