Release Date: February 28th, 2012
A trio of men complete with a set of synthesizers, a drum set and a guitar make up Geographer, who describes their sound as “soulful music from outer space.” This isn’t far off from what they’ve released: Geographer’s music is strange and other-worldly yet meaningful and thick. With the impact of Myth, hey’ve defined themselves pretty well for a young band.
Geographer falls under the alternative genre with a spin on indie/electronic and dream pop, coming in at a difficult time where even the greatest bands have their work cut out for them. Making it as an alternative band in 2012 is like trying to achieve commercial success as a boy band at this day and age. It’s prime has simply passed. Bands like Young The Giant and Geographer will face an indefinite struggle coming out and generating airplay because their genre’s greatest times were when bands like The White Stripes, Nirvana and Radiohead ruled the radio and headlined festivals.
When stakes are high for up-and-coming bands in a make-it-or-break-it industry, proper stylization is crucial. Geographer’s leg-up on the competition is their use of effects and toying of psychedelic effects on vocal tracks. It’s this magic that makes Myth successful even within the first song. “Life of Crime” is fun to listen to, but would be nothing without its twinkling reverbs that channel a dangerous sound in the song’s background.
Geographer’s weak points happen in certain mixes where no profound effects are implemented. Plus there is no middle ground between hallucinogenic sounds in Kaleidoscope” and “. There’s either all or nothing, which doesn’t mesh well when viewed as a whole. The band’s indecision ultimately places a fork in the road, dividing their work into that of two separate bands. One excels in uniqueness and leaving a lasting impression while the other could’ve been made by a band practicing in their suburban apartment at state school.
Regardless, a concept like that of Myth’s should be enough to put together a fan base that collectively buys into a fascinating set of ideas. The album proves that Geographer knew at least what they wanted to happen, though it may not have been laid out as they had dreamed of.
There’s a tranquil energy that runs through Geographer’s Myth that feels good to hear whether you’re paying attention or not.
You might not expect the tone to drop as suddenly as it does in “The Boulder.” This song slows down the entire album as it casts a veil over its melancholy message, building momentum toward something that turns into more beat-driven and climcatic. It’s interesting to hear this song fall into place over the span of four minutes as everything picks up and puts color on the canvas of what started out as a very dull song. It’s amazing what a little conceptualization and a gradual buildup can accomplish.
The band hasn’t completely absolved any doubt that they’ll ensure memorability in the long run, where it’ll have fans eager to press play over and over once the album is done playing, but it does entertain in the meantime. The album just isn’t the timeless wonder that Geographer might have aimed at achieving.
Geographer – Myth tracklist:
- “Life of Crime”
- “The Myth of Youth”
- “Kaleidoscope”
- “Blinders”
- “Lover’s Game”
- “The Dream Has Faded”
- “Shell Beach”
- “The Boulder”
- “Vesijarvi”
- “Kites”
