This week's installment of the Self Promotion Spotlight is Gainesville, FL's Greenland is Melting. Want to be featured in the Self-Promotion Spotlight Forum? It's easy, just sign up for an AP account, post in the forum and leave the rest to us. Head to the replies, to read more about Greenland is Melting.
Considering the success of a band like The Avett Brothers, its apparent that roots-based music has a place on this Web site and in the mainstream consciousness. Gainesville, FL's Greenland is Melting seems to be aware of this and their new album Our Hearts are Gold, Our Grass is Blue, is a concise collection of charming bluegrass offerings. Sure it may sound a bit Appalachian and a bit antiquated, but that is the inherent warmness of the genre. The self-described insurgent country trio claims punk roots (think Against Me!, Rise Against) but the band seems more inspired by the likes of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion than anything else.
That being said this is incredibly polished, perfectly executed bluegrass music. The harmonies and urgency on "No More Sorry Songs," are a pristine example of the band at its pinnacle, as vocalist Karl Seltzer laments, "I'm so goddamn tired of all the lies I keep telling myself." Nearing the minute-and-a-half mark the song takes off and really makes the listen quite indelible.
A fiddle signals the opening to "From City to Town," as the song begins with the line, "I still got some dues to pay, and bills keep coming every day." The band admits they are inspired by "the world, people, interactions, expectations, feelings, politics, issues, problems and love," which isn't too much different from most band's inspirations, but Greenland is Melting seems to pull it off quite well. Their lyrics are thought-provoking and timeless, which marry well with their natural abilities. And while the music may not be commercial, as the band alludes to in "The Kitchen Song," they're still making music anyway. Isn't that what it should always be about? Download a free copy of the band's album at their Website.
soooooooo good. these are my friends from gainesville. theyve really spent a LOT of time and effort on their music, artwork, show, and ethic and its finally paying off. if people are into folkier DIY stuff like Defiance, Ohio, Chuck Ragan, etc., theyll probably dig Greenland Is Melting too. plus, you can download their entire album FOR FREE on their website. definitely in my top 10 of 2009.
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