[rating=7.00]
Stylistically, London based Piney Gir (pronounced like “gear”) albums range from electronica to alt-country and many times a combination of both. For her sixth album, Piney has found a new sound for herself with mR hYDE’S wILD rIDE, one that combines American pop and indie music with English folk and beat pop from the 60’s. Though Piney’s vocals can be a bit over-affected and a deterrent for some, her unmistaken ear for pop melody makes it all come together.
The album starts off strong with the track “Gold Rules”, which boasts a catchy melody backed by a fuzzy bass and builds on the old adage of ‘nothing made gold will ever stay/it all slips away/and you can’t take it with you anyway’. The vocals tend to fall in the vein of early/mid 90’s bands like L7 and Veruca Salt while the music feels like a combination of riot-grrl rock and 60’s British invasion. “Keep it Together,” on the other hand, is a jumble of electronics, rolling drums and bright guitar strums. Piney sings a counterpoint vocal part which segues into a full three minute jam to close the song.
“Mouse of a Ghost” starts slow with a bright strum-a-long guitar and sing-song vocals but before long kicks into overdrive with distorted vocals and a fuzzy guitar that plays out an extended solo before closing out with sci-fi worthy effects. “Universe” is a more straight ahead track with flowing guitar playing and percussive breathing and feels like it would be at home on any Rilo Kiley album. The word-association lyrics on “Purple Heart” have the feel of a nursery rhyme being sung in the style of an old English folk song.
All in all, every song on the album seems to be a story of either hope or regret and many times both. There is much that the listener can relate to in one way or another. If nothing else, the album is worth a listen for the strength of the beautiful melodies and catchy tunes that it holds.
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