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Gayngs represent a somewhat unlikely confluence of any number of recent musical trends, foremost amongst them the resurgence in hipness of such über-processed AOR acts as 10cc, Hall & Oates and Steely Dan. Indeed, producer Ryan Olson's stated purpose when founding Gayngs (alongside Solid Gold's Zack Coulter and Adam Hurlburt) was to create "a collection of drugged-up keyboards and slick bedroom production almost exclusively inspired by 10cc's I'm Not in Love." Relayted, Gayngs' groaningly-titled debut album, shies away from actually covering said song, though the fact it includes a creepy cover of Godley & Creme's saccharine enormo-hit Cry does make you wonder why they bothered being so coy.
That's not the whole story, though. Relayted is not without a scent of fromage, but it is, on the whole, artier, sexier and stranger than the output of Olson's bemulleted heroes. It owes plenty to modern RnB production, and is certainly more leftfield in tone and taste than anything 10cc ever made.
And finally, it seals musician Justin Vernon's position of a sort of contemporary indie Zelig; recent times have seen him crop up on all manner of projects, from his own Bon Iver to a guest slot on Anaïs Mitchell's acclaimed new folk opera Hadestown. Here he gets (sort of) sexy, duetting with Coulter on nine of the 11 tracks, and even rapping (quite well) on Prince-pastiche closer The Last Prom on Earth.
So it's very, very 2010. But is it any good? Well, if you like treacly, textured, atmospheric and extremely druggy songs, where discordant saxophones glide soporifically through a pink-purple glow of narcotic keyboards, the piecing vocals of Vernon and Coulter flapping lazily overhead like stoned alien birds... then you are in for a treat. This is lush, involving music that takes stated influences and sculpts them into something genuinely there. The caveat is that it's virtually hook free: Cry aside, there's barely even a chorus or repeat verse on the whole record–polished it may be, but it drifts formless and intangible as a cloud of pot smoke.
But that's a statement, not a criticism: accept that Gayngs have co-opted 10cc's sound but not their pop nous, and you might have just found yourself the trip of the year. --Andrzej Lukowski
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When "gang" and "related" usually share a sentence, they tend to prop up "violence". In reality, and plural, the 25-strong Gayngs haven't the bpm to cause violence, though their soulful 80s soft-rock may lead some in that direction. Others may well be very surprised upon listening to their album Relayted.
Sombre, six-and-a-half minute tracks lush with sleazy saxophone oughtn't be great, but lead sample "The Gaudy Sound Of Town" is that and more. Sexy, slow-paced and with eyes-closed soft-rock riffing it sets the tone early on, adding curious, George Michael-like echoing vocals to the mix. And, it's worth pointing out again, somehow it still isn't rubbish.
It seems that any review of Relayted will come contractually-obliged with 10cc references, thanks to it being their sole influence listed on My Space. And just like latter-day 10cc, Gayngs carefully avoid gimmick and subsequent awfulness, but only just.
With fragrant whisps of jazz, adult-movie-background textures and Dr. Dre-style R&B smoothness, it's astonishing when bubbling slow-burners rife with sexual tension like "No Sweat" surface from the shuffle. Some of this bombast is sadly apathetic ("The Walker" and "Ride"), but the more consistent and coasting jams on offer prove more than adequate compensation. The synths and pops of "Faded High" for example, along with its distant roof-top riffs, suspend the soul-jazz for long enough to satisfy those with an aversion.
For the record, and apologies to those missed due to reviewer ineptitude, Gayngs consist of leader Ryan Olson of Digitata; Zack Coulter, Shön Troth and Adam Hurlburt of Solid Gold; Maggie Morrison and Grant Cutler of dusty pop outfit Lookbook; all three members of Megafaun; the Rosebuds' Ivan Howard; Justin (Bon Iver) Vernon no less and fellow woodsman Mike Noyce; rappers P.O.S and Dessa, Andrew Bird's personal saxophonist Michael Lewis, singers Channy Moon-Casselle and Katy Morley, as well as Jake Luck and Nick Ryan from Leisure Birds. This may equal supergroup to those in North Carolina or Minnesota perhaps, but not necessarily will it to those on the other side of the pond and further afield.
Thanks to Vernon's inclusion, many will arrive at Relayted thanks to Bon Iver's runaway success. "Spanish Platinum" features his mildly effected vocal, but it's more "Woods" than "Skinny Love" it must be said. However, it is "The Last Prom On Earth" that will cause most controversy. Though a little shy on substance, it is sufficiently suitable for the titular mirrorball-lit groping and climaxes with Vernon's fluttery falsetto that leads into his highly-quoted and amazing Bones Thugs-n-Harmony turn. Jaw-drop moment of 2010 is hereby confirmed.
How Relayted manages to stay coherent and avoid laughable pastiche is a mystery. It is production-high, patchy and 80s keyboards jostle languidly with soul and jazz. It breaks new ground only by revisiting old, but does so with respect. Relayted is worthy of merit for no other reason than it is a true spreading of wings for all concerned, or should that be Wings?
Sombre, six-and-a-half minute tracks lush with sleazy saxophone oughtn't be great, but lead sample "The Gaudy Sound Of Town" is that and more. Sexy, slow-paced and with eyes-closed soft-rock riffing it sets the tone early on, adding curious, George Michael-like echoing vocals to the mix. And, it's worth pointing out again, somehow it still isn't rubbish.
It seems that any review of Relayted will come contractually-obliged with 10cc references, thanks to it being their sole influence listed on My Space. And just like latter-day 10cc, Gayngs carefully avoid gimmick and subsequent awfulness, but only just.
With fragrant whisps of jazz, adult-movie-background textures and Dr. Dre-style R&B smoothness, it's astonishing when bubbling slow-burners rife with sexual tension like "No Sweat" surface from the shuffle. Some of this bombast is sadly apathetic ("The Walker" and "Ride"), but the more consistent and coasting jams on offer prove more than adequate compensation. The synths and pops of "Faded High" for example, along with its distant roof-top riffs, suspend the soul-jazz for long enough to satisfy those with an aversion.
For the record, and apologies to those missed due to reviewer ineptitude, Gayngs consist of leader Ryan Olson of Digitata; Zack Coulter, Shön Troth and Adam Hurlburt of Solid Gold; Maggie Morrison and Grant Cutler of dusty pop outfit Lookbook; all three members of Megafaun; the Rosebuds' Ivan Howard; Justin (Bon Iver) Vernon no less and fellow woodsman Mike Noyce; rappers P.O.S and Dessa, Andrew Bird's personal saxophonist Michael Lewis, singers Channy Moon-Casselle and Katy Morley, as well as Jake Luck and Nick Ryan from Leisure Birds. This may equal supergroup to those in North Carolina or Minnesota perhaps, but not necessarily will it to those on the other side of the pond and further afield.
Thanks to Vernon's inclusion, many will arrive at Relayted thanks to Bon Iver's runaway success. "Spanish Platinum" features his mildly effected vocal, but it's more "Woods" than "Skinny Love" it must be said. However, it is "The Last Prom On Earth" that will cause most controversy. Though a little shy on substance, it is sufficiently suitable for the titular mirrorball-lit groping and climaxes with Vernon's fluttery falsetto that leads into his highly-quoted and amazing Bones Thugs-n-Harmony turn. Jaw-drop moment of 2010 is hereby confirmed.
How Relayted manages to stay coherent and avoid laughable pastiche is a mystery. It is production-high, patchy and 80s keyboards jostle languidly with soul and jazz. It breaks new ground only by revisiting old, but does so with respect. Relayted is worthy of merit for no other reason than it is a true spreading of wings for all concerned, or should that be Wings?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
What an amazing landscape they've created,vast areas with big skies,huge patches of thick forests with brighly coloured plants.The more smack in your brain the more vivid the colours become,enough flowery stuff,if you need an album to chill to this could be it.A good straight forward cover of Godley & Creme's "cry" is a suprise standout while the rest is just plain trippy.Enjoy the ride!!
Format:Audio CD
Had heard about this lp a while before i actually listened to it and to be honest the idea of a 10cc inspired, collection of low tempo, hook-free songs sounded like hardwork. But it works. And the hooks are there, they are just laying low waiting to be discovered. Give it a go if you're at all intrigued. You'll be surprised.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bliss
Don't take any notice of that French idiot's review below - this is a wonderful record. I had it sitting in itunes for months and hardly listened to it at all, but I'm so glad I... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Hoofer
10% of 10cc doesn't add up to much
RE: "accept that Gayngs have co-opted 10cc's sound but not their pop nous, and you might have just found yourself the trip of the year. --Andrzej Lukowski". Read more
Published 21 months ago by Stan FREDO
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