Marshmallow Coast - Ride the Lightning
(Misra)
The title of Marshmallow Coast's new CD may reference the Metallica classic, but the
music of Ride the Lightning is a pleasant pop concoction utterly devoid of a thrash
influence. Initially begun as a 4-track pop project, Andy Gonzales has led the
Marshmallow Coast project through a variety of seven inch releases and three prior
albums. Joined here with Derek Almstead of the Summer Hymns and Of Montreal as his
primary partner, Gonzales presents a mature collection of indie-pop songs with lush
arrangements.
It's a bright, upbeat affair, and Almstead's production is to be commended—everything
sounds crisp, with the instruments clearly separated, but not sterile. The press release
claims Gonzales' songwriting has influences as diverse as Erik Satie, Steely Dan, and
Thelonious Monk; of these, I can only hear the Steely Dan connection. Nothing is ever
melodically unpleasant, although sometimes the lyrics are jarringly dark, at least when
juxtaposed with the bouncy hooks. The eerie, romantic "Haunted Boulevards" is well-accentuated by Eric Harris' theremin, but Gonzales' voice is just a bit too spry to really
carry the lyrics. It's also a little odd in the more surreal songs "Jebodiah's Restraints"
and "Chameleon"; they're cryptic, but not in memorable enough way.
Ride the Lightning relies on the talents of an Athens, GA pool of post-Elephant 6
musicians who have played together in several other projects. This familiarity is evident
in the music, as the songs are very tightly wound and the musicians are comfortable, with
no one overshadowing anyone else. Most songs add non-rock instrumentation to the
guitars; the banjo, cello, and vibraphones sound very natural in the songs, and I get the
feeling that the songs were composed with these instruments in mind, instead of merely
added when recording.
At times, these songs sound like a less wanky The Sea and Cake, especially in "Oblivion" and
"Dee et Moi," both driven by guitars that are simultaneous edgy and smooth. There isn't
a bad song on here, but there may only be one truly great one—the beautiful "Guitar
Suite for Little Debbie," performed by Gonzales alone. His voices reaches a tender
delicacy on this ballad, which could bring a tear to the eye of a less callous reviewer.
Recommended.
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