Album Review

Cymbals Eat Guitars – ‘And The Hazy Sea’

• 17th Aug 2009

The influence of American altern-rock bands such as The Flaming Lips and Grandaddy is so evident on this record, you could easily dismiss it as a mid 90’s rip off. You would even be justified in doing so, but luckily, this overwhelming familiarity of the song takes nothing away from it .

It uses the quiet/loud dynamic of that era wonderfully, with lead singer Josh D’Agostino seamlessly alternating between a low melodic whisper and an aggressive growl. Piano work and choral backing vocals give the record a dreamy dimension which plays brilliantly off the raw guitar sound used during the chorus. This contrast gives the song an anthemic feel without being too pretentious or overambitious.

With “And The Hazy Sea” the group have conjured up plenty of nostalgia, but have done so without sounding dated. If “Indie” in its purest sense is what you gets you going, you will easily fall in love with this song. It will surely catapult Cymbals Eat Guitars onto bigger and better things.