With a palette of dense electronic tones, bass and distorted guitars,Growing announce their presence to the world. Theirs is a mostlywhispered voice, humming with the full and haunting melody ofunderwater computer and keyboard noise, but occasionally parting waysfor the traditional rock instrument. The different philosophies rollaround like lazy children in the summertime shade, allowing differenttunes to escape their lips and merge together in the hope that theywill create a solid and beautiful harmony. For the most part, thesesongs do capture that magic, where the electronic and the electricunite and escape their various confines for the greater good of thewhole composition. In places, unfortunately, it all sounds too static,too much of the same lukewarm ocean sound where some variation mighthelp, and continuing on a bit longer than absolutely necessary.Occasionally, there is a jarring change for the unprepared ears, likethe guitar dissonance of "Cutting, Opening, Swimming" that threatens togently coax the walls down all around you. These moments are too few,though, and it feels like the band is still finding their sound, stilllearning where their stops are and how to exploit them to their fullestextent. For a debut it shows real promise for the band, however. Thesongs, appropriate for the name of the band, do grow on you, moving into the house and sleeping on the couch until you finally decide thatthey're a fitting addition to the decor. The last track on the album,"Pavement Rich in Gold" was on repeat on my CD player one night for agood three hours, as it perfectly set the mood for a time of totalrelaxation, and the simple progression was enough to set me almostimmediately at ease. Not necessarily the feel good record of thesummer, and not a brilliant debut, but certainly the right record for acool-down on a hot summer night.Read More
