Search - Gosling :: Gosling

A breath of fresh songwriting and solid musicianship

Hardware Bob | San Francisco Bay Area | 12/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently heard this hitherto unknown foursome in San Francisco as a warm-up for the Donnas and another group, the Peels. They were, without a doubt, the best thing on stage that night; some great musicianship, inventive song-writing and interesting, worthwhile lyrics. This is a group definitely worth some attention. With a number of bands, one feels that you could replace any member and never know the difference. This group had a collective feel that made you appreciate every of its four members for their unique and seemingly irreplaceable contribution to the collective product. Buy their CD, see them live - support this intelligent, creative effort that breaks from the warmed-over posing "style over substance" groups we usually find today."

Love The New Loudermilk

K. Klein | 08/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The evolution of Loudermilk to Gosling is awesome! I loved Loudermilk and there new sound (which is not drasticly different) is really good. Personally, I think it sounds like Modest Mouse meets Loudermilk. That sort of tempo. Anyway, I have seen Gosling live several times now and I definitely recomend this EP. Check out "I Am The Avocado.""

Newly hatched

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 11/07/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Call them "The Band Formerly Known as Loudermilk." This hard-rockin' band debuted in 2002 with their "Red Record," then apparently vanished from the world. They weren't gone -- just reborn as Gosling. And this self-titled EP promises future good stuff.



It kicks off with the keyboards'n'bass rocker "Mr Skeleton Wings," followed by the odd, more epic sound of "Worm Waltz," and the choir-like metal-rocker "I Am the Avocodo." Gosling then serves up a surprise -- a pensive acoustic-tinged ballad, "Chemical Drive." And the closer, "Here Is," is a stomping, plodding rocker laced with electronic swatches.



It's undeniable that Gosling has quite a Smashing Pumpkins vibe -- frontman Davey Ingersoll even sounds like Billy Corgan's shriller little brother. But they show signs of breaking further from the Pumpkins sound, and further into their own brand of rock.



Ingersol and Co. were always heavy on the percussion and bass, and Isaac Carpenter (drums) and Shane Middleton (bass) serve as a brilliant, bombastic backdrop for Ingersoll and Mark Watrous' guitar riffs. Their sound rises to epic heights in places. But there's more of a reliance on keyboards here: a piano-like melody runs through "Mr. Skeleton Wings," and there's a delicate tinkling interlude in "I Am The Avocodo."



Like I said, Davey Ingersoll sounds a LOT like Billy Corgan, but his voice is lower pitched and a bit rougher. He sounds weirdly androgynous when he shouts, which sometimes just makes him sound manic. But he shines when he sings in a more restrained manner, such as the plaintive "Chemical Drive."



The band has a new name and new identity, but their sound is quite intact. Definitely worth checking out for rock fans."