Grand Archives, Keep in Mind Frankenstein

I’ve listened to the album several times, but it still all kind of blends together — nothing really stands out to me. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a beautiful album worth listening to, and for the genre of music they play, I think they do it well. It’s just that nothing about it says “wow.”

Keep in Mind Frankenstein is pretty much a repeat of Grand Archives’ previous release, debut album Grand Archives, released last year, with the same chill, relaxing songs and the same soothing vocals. I would say, however, that this new release is even more toned-down and less catchy than the band’s previous release.

Whenever I pop in any of the band’s CDs, it seems like the perfect music to listen to on a rainy day while stuck indoors all day long and working on homework or crafts or something. It’s good background music.

Grand Archives remind me a little bit of Slowreader, the side project of Rory Allen Phillips and Gabe Hascall of The Impossibles, formed in 2001. Slowreader only released one self-titled album in 2002, but it’s since remained on my list of top albums to fall asleep to. Grand Archives are quickly rising on that list of mine. The higher-pitch sound of the vocalist, mixed with a wide variety of instruments that seem to relax your mind and body at the same time, create something very similar to Slowreader.

Grand Archives use guitars, the harmonica, the tambourine, the piano, and several other instruments to create its indie-folk/country sound. All of the sounds fit well together and create a beautiful, original, and unified sound.

“Silver among the Gold” and “Did that Crazy Grave” pick up the tempo a little and could possibly be the tracks that get stuck in your head. Or they may just blend right in with the rest of the album. I think Keep in Mind Frankenstein is a good choice if you’re looking for something to help you fall asleep late at night or want some rainy day music on your iPod.

If you’re really interested in the band, I’d recommend checking out its previous release, and if nothing else, listening to opening track “Torn Blue Foam Couch.” It’s great.