Graph

Graph (2009)

Brian Shultz

Sometimes you can make sense of what Graph does, but most of the time, not so much. Thus, about half of their six-song, self-titled, second EP is fairly interesting with a compelling atmosphere and the rest is just simply inoccuous.

After a few swelling, vocal-assisted buildups (think the first two seconds of Algernon Cadwallader's "Serial Killer Status," but way stretched out), opener "Nuages" saunters into delicately tumbling '90s emo-indie rock that reminds me of Joan of Arc, only a lot less discordant and much more melodic. It drifts about before finding a noodly, fine-layered instrumental bridge that calls to mind Ghosts and Vodka or Colossal in some way. It's easily the standout.

Elsewhere, the lines aren't quite as defined as the almost lounge-y "The Wow! Signal" or quasi-jazzy closer "Framed with Gold" will respectively attest to. The latter includes some soulful saxophone bits, hinting toward the territory of Look Mexico or, say, Colossal again.

But the other tracks, like "Ciagarette Hands," don't have a bite or urgency to them that enables them to be anything more than sonic wallpaper. It's a little bit of a bummer, but it doesn't erase the fact there are a few bright moments on this interesting and relatively experimental effort from Graph.

STREAM
Graph EP