Mass Avenue Freeze-Out
by The Gravel Pit
-
Streaming + DownloadIncludes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.Purchasable with gift card
$5 USD or more
1. |
Loved One
03:01
|
|||
2. |
||||
3. |
Unit Three
03:27
|
|||
4. |
Baby Gap
02:49
|
|||
5. |
Best Friend
03:06
|
|||
6. |
Get Rough
02:41
|
|||
7. |
Enemy
03:12
|
|||
8. |
Why
03:06
|
|||
9. |
Star Treatment
02:37
|
|||
10. |
Curious
01:57
|
|||
11. |
Race Car
03:05
|
|||
12. |
Short Western Film
05:18
|
about
Mass Avenue Freeze-Out finds the Gravel Pit exploring familiar territory in their songwriting while breaking new ground in terms of performance and production. Released in June of 2001, the third album from these Boston favorites works out to be around half guitar rock and half sonic layering akin to Nigel Godrich's work on Beck's Mutations. This is particularly evident on "Why," which combines alternately chiming and growling keyboards with prominent percussion. However, lead singer and songwriter Jed Parrish has let his Farfisa organ, previously a Gravel Pit centerpiece, take a backseat on much of Mass Avenue Freeze-Out. What is presented instead is a combination of sounds that work to make the record float somewhere slightly above the past five decades of rock & roll, incorporating the best and most appropriate elements from each as Mass Avenue Freeze-Out rolls along. But it's all energy and there is rarely a lull -- "The Ballad of the Gravel Pit" is, in fact, a furious rocker. The closest thing to a ballad here is "Get Rough," and that's only in contrast with the rest of the album. The song is really more slow-driving pop number than ballad. Parrish has created a distinctive voice in both his songwriting and singing, tossing off angular melodies and improvising vocal riffs that seem improbable, like Morrissy or Frank Black's work with the Pixies. He keeps the listener off guard by going for atypical harmonies and defying expectations of what each note will be by setting patterns only to break them. Yet the melodies remain pleasing. Parrish has an excellent voice and he delivers the changes with a control and smooth clarity reminiscent of Elvis Costello. In fact, the songwriting and sound is so distinctive that, around song ten, you start to feel you've heard it before. Still it's hard to pick out a weak song, and the finale, "Short Western Film," is worth waiting for, sounding like Friends of Dean Martinez covering something from Abbey Road. Wonderfully. -- AllMusic
credits
released March 1, 2001
license
all rights reserved
tags
discography
-
Jul 2013 -
Nov 2012 -
Jun 2012 -
May 2012
contact / help
If you like Mass Avenue Freeze-Out, you may also like:
-
Matters Of The Heartless
by Olivier St.LouisThis full-length debut by the Washington, DC native features elements of soul-funk, rock, and jazz.
go to album -
Ever since the fall EP
by Olivier St.LouisThe globe-trotting singer makes his Jakarta Records debut.
go to album -
Silky smooth R&B from the vocalist for Tower of Power, quiet storm soul to warm the heart.
go to album -
Doing Our Thing With Pride
by Al-Dos BandThis new release will introduce the South Carolina disco-soul group to new audiences.
go to album -
featured on Bandcamp Radio Feb 26, 2019
go to album -
The Rhythm Of Life
by Mike LundySun-kissed, blue-eyed soul rarity from the Hawaiian shores; imagine EWF jamming with Steely Dan.
go to album -
I've Changed
by The Gene Dudley Groupfeatured on Bandcamp Radio Jun 23, 2015
go to album
