Music I Wish I’d Heard Sooner Vol. 2 : Gayngs: "Relayted"

by Ally Nevarez

(* ed note. We here at wellthatscool.com are really happy to announce a new addition to the site, Ally Nevarez. We thought who better to dish out new music then the person we get it from. Ally can be found helping make Tuscaloosa cooler at Oz music. Next time you're there ask for her and she'll set you right up. We look forward to getting the scoop and passing it on to you very often)

What do you get when you bring together indie-rock heavy hitters Justin Vernon and Mike Noyce of Bon Iver, Zack Coulter and Adam Hurlburt of Solid Gold, various members of folk rock band Megafaun and about 20 others? Armed with keyboards and slide-guitars, you get an 11 track album fully inspired by 10cc’s art rock 1975 hit song “I’m Not in Love”—and one Godley & Crème cover. I was surprised, too.

Relayted, the Jagjaguwar Records 2010 release from this eclectic super-group could have been stuck wading in the mucky waters of irony, but it’s the group’s diverse talents that prevent that from becoming a possibility. Justin Vernon’s falsetto we know so well from For Emma, Forever Ago makes an appearance on “Faded High,” but is totally eclipsed by his sweet, sweet rhyming abilities on “Last Prom on Earth.” “The Walker” is another high point, with haunting background vocals and a brief, yet piercing guitar solo. You can call the tracks slow jams or bedroom rock even, but there’s no denying that this album is smooth.

Sadly, because of the vast number of band members and conflicting schedules performances have been few and far between. Most notably, their CD release party was held in the Minnesota venue First Avenue with a theme taken straight from their track “Last Prom on Earth.” Just because they won’t be stopping by a neighborhood venue any time shouldn’t keep you from giving the album a listen. I strongly recommend this album to fans of Massive Attack and Portishead. We also carry the album at Tuscaloosa’s own OZ Music,  where you’ll find it on my employee picks for the month.  (*ed. note. You should always go to OZ they are the last record stores in town, are localy owned, are much friendlier then the heartless cold internet and you can find neat stuff that you didn't even know you could not live without)

And finally, I leave you with the audio for the opening track, “Gaudy Side of Town.” Enjoy!

  -Ally Nevarez