In today’s day an age in music the term “Supergroup” is becoming more common. Many musicians cringe at the notion and others accept it with pride. When it comes to the five piece band, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra the term Supergroup is one lead singer, William DuVall (Alice in Chains) hopes to redefine.
Along with William, the band is made up of guitarist Brent Hinds (Mastadon), guitarist Ben Weinman (The Dillinger Escape Plan), drummer Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta) and on bass Pete Griffin (Dethklok, Zappa plays Zappa) when put together musical royalty is at its finest.
Broken Lines, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra’s debut album is going to have fans in awe. If they expect to hear the familiar sound of Alice in Chains to The Mars Volta or even Mastadon they may be very surprised. The band although may at times draw from different sounds of their familiar styles they have come to prove a point. That point being is that they are here to break the boundaries of what the term “Supergroup” means and create a sound all of their own.
From the beginning of the album with “Adapt or Die,” the punk meets grunge fast paced song will get fans moving. There is a killer guitar solo in the middle of the song allowing for the listeners to bang their heads along with the steady bass and drum accompanying both guitars. Fans will be pleased with what they hear for the band holds no stops.
“Crucifixion”, one of the bands two singles starts off with a punk vibe but gradually fades into a more alternative rock sound which has its punk origins dispensed throughout the song. The slower middle vocal section of the song does showcase DuVall’s famous vocals with a hint of Alice in Chains style mixed in; however do not expect the song to continue that vibe. The song truly is worthy of showcasing the bands multiple layers of sounds.
Surely to be a fan favorite is “No-One Is Innocent”, with a strong drum solo intro mixed with some guitar undertone this hard rock song will have them singing along with the chorus. A breakdown comes about that sounds animalistic in nature. It has bongos, sultry vocals, strong guitar presence, steady bass and drums keeping the vibe together. Fans will truly embrace the song.
“Blood Moon”, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra’s second single has all the ingredients of a great Rock and Roll song mixed with some industrial and soul. With an organ playing during some parts of the song it gives an old school 1970’s vibe to the song.
The album’s title track “Broken Lines” comes with some very strong and emotional vocals by DuVall, very reminiscent of a new age Alice in Chains. There is a beauty in the lyrics and just when you think the song is slower in nature in come’s Hinds, Weinman, Pridgen and Griffen to create the fast paced Rock sound.
“Back to the Light” is a true Rock song with Duvall’s vocals sultry and raw taking lead, mixed with Hinds and Weinman shredding and fast paced guitars playing throughout the song. Griffen and Pridgen hold the percussion section down with steady bass and drum playing. Just when you think you heard it all in comes actress/singer Juliette Lewis who contributes a fun and strong vocal performance (Lewis was slated as singer allegedly for the band in the early stages, but DuVall settled in as the bands permanent singer.)
A song to truly speak to fans and bring about the true meaning of a ballad is “All We Have Is Now.” Duvall’s vocals are stunning, mixed with a strumming solo guitar and rhythm guitar playing. Pridgen plays some runs throughout the song fitting in nicely with bass guitar. The song ends with some techno sounding rhythms.
With a disco Electronic Rock sound “Everyone gets Everything they Really Want “ the band as a whole brings a sense a fun to this heavy lyrical message. At one point an organ and saxophone grace the song, with static and distorted guitars, rocking alongside the percussion section. This song is going to be a fan favorite that will sure bring listeners to their feet.
“Fragments Ashes” is a mixture of Rock and Hard Rock creating a strong combination of showcasing of talents of DuVall, Griffen, Pridgen, Hinds and Weinman. With shredding and soloing guitars, drum solos, and steady bass playing under DuVall’s sometimes singing sometimes screams is true genius of a song that was put together.
The last song on the album “Thieves and Whores”, starts with a soloing guitar and hollow drum being beaten in the beginning leading into a Hard Rock song. With electronic sounds brought into the song at points it adds a futuristic and haunting melodies.
If Giraffe Tongue Orchestra came to prove to the music industry and fans alike that they were not just some “Supergroup” who’s sound would mimic their other projects than they were right. Not only do they not sound like their other projects they have created their own unique style and brand. Mixing DuVall’s vast vocal range, Weinman and Hinds impressive guitar playing, a strong percussion section by Griffin and Pridgen it makes up for one of the most refreshing sounding bands coming out right now. Broken Lines is truly an album that is one fans and music lovers of all types of Rock music will be pleasantly surprised to see just how diverse and ground breaking the music truly is.
