Search - Gelbison :: See the World

Australia's best export

Benny Ball | 08/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Summer's death will break us up,

but lovers like us never really end"



Being somewhat parallel to Brits 'Gomez', Gelbison's second album and the follow up to 1704 is a masterful piece of alt-country folk/rock.



I like albums that come on strong and don't stop. I like albums that get to the point and stick to around 10 or 12 tracks.

'See the World' does both, bringing together 12 of the most delightfully crafted alt. ballads ever heard from down under.

The opener, 'All the Rage', is the most immediately appealing and is carried along by what is for this day and age, quite a stunningly simple and grand riff. The rock antics of 'Holy' brings the anticipation up a notch, and the spacey, beck inspired 'Keep it Clean' cleverly carries the feeling along with its droney, rhythmic subtleties.



The next song, 'I don't want to die here with you', truly knocked me back with it's off-kilter mood, and it signifies a change of pace for the album. This begins 3 track run of solid gold songwriting. Following the gentle and raw humility of 'All Your Scars' - a beacon of warm drum loops and a pure sounding xylophone lick, is 'Summer of Love' - a majestic country ballad, with a very gomez inspired breakdown and an immensely charming chorus, that reminds me of 'Chocolate Town' by Ween.



The rest of the album is a definate come down, with liberal use of wonderfully textured string sections in 'See the World' and 'Had To Lose'. The single obnoxious track interrupting this flow is 'Poets', which just isn't my cup of tea, but at least it adds contrast to the spiritual final track, 'Be Broken To Be Whole'. This song is understated and insidious in its beauty. Built around a constant 'A' note, the song interweaves intangible melodies into numerous stages of granduer. I feel blessed to be party to something this intimate.



Being an Australian myself, I can attest to the fact that Gelbison are the best Aussie band around now, and unfortunately, the most likely to pass under the radar of the rest of the world. Don't let yourself be a statistic! If you like soulful alternative you will be blown away by the quality songwriting and well crafted dynamic of this album."