There is something very different about Grey River & The Smoky Mountain’s new album, Wake Me When I’m Home. It has a unique appeal, which though won’t be for everyone, hasn’t confined itself to mainstream expectations. It’s definitely well worth a listen, packed full of tunes that will have you checking out their other material.
The album starts off with a titular track, which we get counted into, and because it is at the beginning, makes it feel like we are being counted into the whole experience. Instantly, your ears are greeted with a jaunty sea shanty-esque sound, that quite honestly, if you don’t want to do a little jig, are you even listening to it properly? Although it’s a short song, it’s one that makes you feel transported to another time, and the deep vocals compliment this style of song really well.
If you think that’s the vibe you are getting for the whole album, think again, because next up is ‘Eliza’ which is much more slowed down. It also introduces us to the female vocalist, which in itself is a wholly different sound. You can hear the male voice harmonising which makes everything appear very full. It’s quite a traditional folk vibe, and it’s beautiful.
At this point, you can’t help but note that every song on Wake Me When I’m Home sounds different, which is great and shows how versatile the band is. ‘Alive’ begins with raspy vocals that feel a little bit like whispering, as though there is something secretive. This seems appropriate considering the instrumental side of things sounds like something that could easily slip into an episode of Sherlock. Those strong female vocals take over again, but the harmonising once more joins the two opposing forces together in a way that works so well.
‘Zombie’ is quite a subdued number but is also lively at the same time. Meanwhile ‘Jack’, which is the second song on the album to have a name as the title, has a country twang, giving off an American hoedown feel. If you think of a bar scene in a film, old school saloon style, this would be the soundtrack. The isolated vocals at the beginning with no instruments is a noteworthy part of the song. It’s something that really catches your attention.
Song six, ‘Sparrow’ uses a mix of the male and female vocals again, but when we hear the swap, the track significantly speeds up, giving it the same jaunty feel of the first song. Then it slows straight back down again though, varying the pace and taking you on a journey in the space of three minutes.
The album is slowed down properly in ‘The Storm’ which has a dramatic edge with somewhat pirate-like vocals. The song really utilises the instruments used in this and it gives it a haunting quality. There are elements of the song that sound louder, again really emphasising that dramatic aspect, and although harmonising is in pretty much every song, when the female vocals are harmonising, like in this one, it feels the most impactful and obvious, in a really great way.
‘Dirty Road’ has what sounds like a twangy banjo driving the song, making it feel medieval, and the chanting part with multiple voices, gives off the impression that everyone is sitting around a campfire for a sing-along. ‘Unlovable’ is the complete opposite, slowing things down once more with its emotional lyrics that connect you to the song. Then the energy is raised again for the penultimate composition, ‘Yellow Flag’ that feels similar in vibe to track 5, in that you could easily see it used in a line dancing competition. It’s a unique sound that the band have made their own.
Finally, Wake Me When I’m Home ends with ‘Dark Land’ which leads it out in a slightly slower way. Although the whole album has had a fairly even mix of female and male vocals taking the reins, ‘Dark Land’ uses the male vocals to end everything, just like it started. The instruments sound like they could be played at an old-fashioned ball as there is a reasonable amount of dramatic flair that feels classic, and this is exactly how it ends. With style. And the exact way you would want an album that sounds like this to finish.
FOLLOW GREY RIVER & THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN ON INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK
FIND MORE REVIEWS FROM RGM HERE