New Music Tuesday

The Daily Collegian - 12/12/06

It is rare for a young group to release a completely innovative, almost beautiful debut, but, ladies and gentlemen, it has happened. With their self-titled debut EP, The Inner Banks sound more like they belong on a new age Western soundtrack than their self-described "music for headphones and roadtrips." And, although they do not typify any specific genre, they do make beautiful music.

The only way to describe The Inner Banks would be neo-classical crossed with ethereal vocals topped with just a dash of rock. Sounding more like an Americanized version of the band Air (a France-based electronic group) than anything else, The Inner Banks have quite possibly made a name for themselves in the indie underground.

While by no means Grammy-winning material, The Inner Banks might be the groundbreaking start to a neo-classical revival. By blending the perfect amount of poppy beats with classical instruments, hollow vocals, and electronica, The Inner Banks have created what will hopefully continue to be their defining characteristic.

Characterized by the sparse vocals of Carolyn Shultz and the compositional genius of David Gould, The Inner Banks also contains slide guitar, piano, violins, horns and just about any other instrument found in a music store. With such an ambiguous sound, The Inner Banks do not sound like any particular group. Using bits of Philip Glass's neo-classicalism, Air's electronic sound, and just a little guitar found in pop music, The Inner Banks are innovatively flaunting their music making abilities in every key change, note and breath on the EP.
One of the best parts of The Inner Banks is the layering of instruments.

Especially seen in "Rhino," this provides real substance to what might draw listeners away: a lack of vocals. As not all of the songs on "The Inner Banks" contain vocals, the varying voices of the instruments carry the full weight of the song. Even when vocals are present, though, the instruments are still more forceful and driving, making the perfect blend of thoughtful, tireless music.
Possibly most surprising about The Inner Banks is the refined and thought-out nature of the songs - more than any new release should have. Although most of the musicians have had some experience in other groups, it has only been under two years since the idea of The Inner Banks came to be. The sounds that they make are sophisticated, unforced, and real. It is almost like they copied some of the best moments in music history, but changed them to make it theirs.

Listeners should feel fortunate, because The Inner Banks released a longer EP then most bands do (just over 30 minutes). With only seven tracks, it is a great glimpse to get a feel for how the group will progress in the future. This amazing compilation of songs might just be a fluke, many hours of hard work, or pure talent; it is hard to tell which.

So, thank you DAG! Records, thank you Carolyn Shultz, thank you David Gould, thank you The Inner Banks. The music industry needed this release, needed the change from meaningless lyrics and power chords. If one word could sum up what "The Inner Banks" has succeeded in doing, it would be "wow."
Available only on cdbaby.com ($12) or on iTunes ($6.93), "The Inner Banks" is must for any music listener looking for a change. With the amazing "Anthem," (as well as every other track on the EP), "The Inner Banks" is worth every penny of whatever price listeners pay.