November 05, 2007
CMJ Monthly

Life is not as gloomy and wistful as The Grey Race’s name would have you believe. Despite the pessimism, the aptly titled Brooklyn band’s debut is a dreamy, cleverly disguised pop record that flirts with proggie post-punk and hints at the more clear-headed moments of the psychedelic movement. Singer and guitarist Jon Darling’s moody, reverb-laden fairy tales soar with elegance and sophistication alongside the band’s detached, atmospheric divergence with Darling passionately brooding over the death of a lover while the guitars pluck and dart, shrouded in mystery. It’s a very airy and opaque song, despite the rudimentary instrumentation, and is one reason the band’s sound remains fresh and interesting throughout the 4—minute disc. At times the three-piece’s precocious pop finds itself contradicted by a romance with dark, orchestral textures. The tension-building is emblematic of a group lingering between the overt and nocturnal side of chamber pop. For such a small outfit, The Grey Race gracefully retains depth and precision in songs like “Straight For The Middle” and “The Johnsons”, which both feature simple, tactful acoustic guitars and melodic vocal harmonies one moment before shifting towards a fuller, more dynamic verve the next. Give It Love is a solid introduction to a band musically mature beyond their years.