Guns for Girls where formed in 2007, they have been growing and developing since then. They have been playing as many live gigs as possible. Having had a high turn round in members they have recently settled down into a three-piece line up with vocalist and guitarist Gavin Herbert, bassist Carl Haden and drummer Dylan Caine. They still play many live gigs to their ever-growing fan base but have decided to release their first album Blood Harmonies. As a rock fan, I was really looking forward to listening to this album and seeing how the thirteen years has shaped their music.
As their first album, Blood Harmonies draws on all their experiences within the last thirteen years. Having so many different members and styles moving through the make-up of the band, they have had a wide range of input on this work that shows in their music. With such a myriad of influences, the composition of the album is wonderfully diverse. With a mix of tempos and styles this album is a great listening experience.
The sound scape on this album is a mix from the traditional rock style to different genres mixed in. I really enjoy You Are The Gunfire, which has a sort of Asian style, think of a rock version of a track from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The guitar work by Gavin mixed with a strong back up on bass and drums by Carl and Dylan, means that the sound they create has a beautiful texture that is like a warm cup of tea. Soothing and comfortable that makes you feel like you have come home from the rain.
The vocals by Gavin are a deep and relaxing. He manages to make the lyrics sound deep and enchanting whilst still being distinguishable, even when they use effects to create a different atmosphere. This allows you to really enjoy the lyrics within the tracks. They tend to be a mix of meanings from gentle melodic positive vibes to down to earth and even low mood creating tunes. With lyrics like ‘Tell me something I don’t know’ from the track You Are The Gunfire and ‘I’m taking it all away’ from You Get What You Give, you can see a lot of the mixed influences for their past.
The mix on this album has a wonderful variety of sound that keeps the listeners mind active when tuned in. It can work as a good set of tracks to unwind and relax too. I enjoyed listening to the album on the way home from work. It has a steady beat that kept me moving and melodies that allow my mind to zen into my happy place. My only complaint about this album is that it is so relaxing that it causes you to slip into a kind of trance. It is a nice experience, but you can loose track of time and a little bit of where you are. My advice is if listening to whilst walking, make sure that its loud enough to jar you at points. Or maybe listen at home.
All in all, I think that this is a great release and the band is going to power their way to success. I would love to see more work from them and to one day see them live.
Rating: 8/10
Words: Steph Warren
Blood Harmonies is out now.
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