Goldrush

The Heart is the Place

(Better Looking)

Record Review by Marcel Feldmar

The CD starts with this brilliant and moving full-on Spiritualized headrush, moving thick and heavy and then just as you start to get really excited about where it’s all going to go, they slam on the brakes and careen off into some unexpected indie lo-fi groove that kicks like some Silver Jews flashback. They bring back hints of the great big spiritual thing in at times, but – it’s just not enough, and then the song ends. Song 2 slides in with a little Flaming Mercury Lip Rev nod and touch, which isn’t bad, but – after that first attack, I’m wanting more Space and less Indie. A little more spastic and energetic than Band of Horses, but perhaps the Goldrushers could fit into that little beardrock category, though I don’t know if they’ve got the facial hair going… it’s got that beardy sound. It’s melancholic and heartfelt, but still bright and shifting along like fast river flow. Too poetic? Well – poetic journalistic license. I’ve got one.

Sometimes I think there’s a little nice Neil Young flavor seeping into the songs, but maybe that’s just some mental Goldrush connection I have, regardless – I quite like it. Gives the songs a little Southern blues hint that fills out the moods. Seems interesting to me that this band hails from the UK – they’ve got Americana written all over their chords, though, I suppose that’s nothing new. Hell, even Mr. Young hails from Canadaland.

There are definitely some great songs on this album, steady beats and folk-country rhythms combining with interesting lyrics and indiepop hooks, the band names mentioned as sonic touchstones coming in to help solidify the songs without overpowering.