The Czars
Before but longer

The simple beauty of "Before... but longer" becomes apparent right

from the first track, swelling from a simple atmospheric guitar

backing with calming intense and melancholic vocal harmonies.

This second album from the Denver 5-piece encompasses many

influences, all held together by the pure-sounding voice of singer

John William Grant. The band would seem hard to categorise - on

"concentrate" they combine the minimal post-rock ethos of bands

like Low, with country tinges and chilling piano atmospherics,

while later tracks like "zippermouth" and "gangrene" mix jagged

rhythmic rock with smoky intense vocals. And this leaves space for

some beautiful acoustic songwriting and vocal harmonies on "get used

to it" and the catchy alt-country pop of "what I can do for you".

Overall it really is hard to dislike the album - there's something

on there for everyone, from swelling rhythmic post-rock, classic

songwriting skill and lo-fi atmospherics right through to the sparse

electronica of "pressure" and the acoustic Patsy Cline cover which

ends the record. And while many of the songs could make it purely

as instrumentals, they're all accompanied by beautiful vocals which

fit in seamlessly and really make this record special. Judging by

this, their debut on the Bella union label, the Czars look set for

great things.