SHREDnews

By: Erica Lenti

I have to admit that when I first decided to review High Places vs. Mankind by High Places, I was skeptical. I had originally heard of High Places from the hit British television series, Skins, where some of their music was featured, but I wasn’t very impressed. I am not a fan of experimental music and I was sure I wouldn’t have anything positive to contribute. Yet, when I popped in my headphones and took my first listen of the album, I was pleasantly surprised.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, High Places is a duet indie band consisting of instrumentalist Rob Barber and singer-songwriter Mary Pearson. My first assumption was that High Places would probably sound like every other indie band that is popular today; and fortunately, I was wrong. High Places offers a unique, almost unusual, sound that is hard to come across in today’s music industry. Their singular sound is most evident in High Places vs. Mankind, their latest release from earlier this year.

The album opens with “The Longest Shadows,” which I personally think was the perfect choice for an opening track. The instrumentals are strong and Pearson’s voice captures you from the moment she enters. The song is upbeat and engages the listener. Likewise, it sets the mood for the rest of the album. The sensual, soft melody of the track is progressive throughout the album, and its aura and sound easily transition the listener from track to track.

As the first few tracks of the album advance, it is particularly evident that the album’s sound grows darker, with its climax being the fourth track, “The Channon.” This somewhat eerie track is one of the strongest songs on the album, mainly for its use of emotion. The instrumentals build the song’s intensity and it is somewhat overwhelming. Though “The Channon” is the shortest song, and contains no vocals whatsoever, it offers a sound that is complimentary, nonetheless unique, to the rest of the album.

The following track, “Canada” exerts Barber’s drumming at best. Being Canadian myself, I felt an instant connection to this track. The percussion brings a sort of Aboriginal feel, as if it were distancing back to the roots of Canadian history. The light, slightly distorted guitar completes the sound with the lullaby hum it provides.

In terms of listening to the album, I feel as if it can only be really enjoyed if listened to in a secluded and serene atmosphere. It is pure contemplation music, and is best listened to when the music engulfs you with its emotion. It is in no way an “easy-listen;” it is music to think to, to reflect on the important things around you. In brief, good music should create mood and emotion, and that is what this album does; High Places vs. Mankind is an emotional album that brings the best of feeling and sound together in one compilation.

High Places vs. Mankind is available for digital download on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/high-places-vs-mankind/id358306615) and is available for order in CD format online http://www.thrilljockey.com/catalog/?id=104648.

Recommended tracks: The Channon, Canada, The Drift Slayer
For Fans Of: Lucky Dragons, Panda Bear, Here We Go Magic
Rating: 7.5/10