Customer Reviews

Tenderfoot

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was visiting my friends over in Iceland in February. By chance we went out to see a local band Without Gravity. The band had a small following, but it was obvious this was a band still in its baby shoes. They filled the room with their haunting melodies and beautiful music. My friends and I left the venue talking about how much we liked them. I bought the album when it was an import from Iceland, I'm glad to see this album is being released here now.

Formed in Reykjavik three years ago, Without Gravity presents a strong debut with Tenderfoot. the line-up practically demands intimacy. Kalli, on acoustic guitar and vocals, sounds so much like the late Nick Drake that Tenderfoot could pass for a long-lost Drake album. Bandmates Konni (acoustic guitar, pedal steel, and mandolin), Grimsi (brushed drums and backup vocals), and Helgi (double-bass, since replaced by Ottar on acoustic and electric bass) complete this disc's hushed melancholy. The band's gauzy lyrics complement the musical atmospherics, leading budding literary critics to get lost in such lines as "Where did you go? What have I done, my beautiful son?" from the first single, "Beautiful Son." without Gravity's Tenderfoot is a living-room masterpiece.

Without Gravity is by far the best sub pop band to emerge from the coldness of Iceland since Sigur Ros. They incorporate smooth sounding guitar work, with a alt. country twist and soft vocals. If I was to compare it to an other artist out today, I would say it is on the same level as Damien Rice's O. Everyone who enjoy's relaxing guitar work, jump on the new Without Gravity bandwagon.

At first this album didn't really hit me, but then as I was listening to it again the other day, and I realized how good it really is. Although Tenderfoot is subtle and unsuspecting initially, it becomes obvious after a few listens that the magic is in what they DON'T say. I can't wait to see Without Gravity live!!

Like the way I felt when I first heard high and dry by Radiohead, the first song on the album is "beautiful son" and its just amazing. This has got to be my favorite record in a while. Its the only full record I've heard this year. There must be something in Iceland, cuz everything I hear makes me wanna move there.

If you like Ryan Adams, My Morning Jacket, Damien Rice and Rocco DeLuca (with or without the burden) then there is no reason why Tenderfoot shouldn't be in your mailbox waiting for you to open it up, import it on your itunes and be on your way to a blissfull melancholy state of mind before the sun goes down. These guys take the bare essentials and form excellent music out of it. No drum machines, no raps, nobody else writing there music. Pure sound. Dim the lights, burn some incense and turn this on for a feeling of solitude within the mind.

Great guitar work. Soothing vocals. This is an outstanding CD. Beautiful Son is only one of many wonderful songs here. Country,Without Gravity,Waterfall, and Moving on Backwards are my other favorites. I have been listening to this quite often over the last 3 months and have come to strongly admire this highly polished, solid first effort. I want and cant wait to hear more from this band. Well done.

I love the melodies and harmonies. The music is well done and the guitar is creative. This album takes me out of this world and gives me a break. I love it.

Beautiful Son is one of the most pure songs I've heard in awhile, and it nicely sets up the rest of the album. Amazing vocals wrapped around haunting music entranced in more than subtle melodies. You almost forget that there are lyrics to these songs.

It's easy to get lost in the atmosphere of these songs. I sometimes might be a little too critical with my star ratings, but I just can't go around giving out 4 stars willy nilly, I mean, goodness, what would the children think?