Telegraph Canyon - "The Tide and the Current" Review

Just a few months ago, I'd never heard of Telegraph Canyon. Then, they signed to Velvet Blue Music, one of my favorite labels. Just a few weeks ago, I'd still never heard their music, then I received their CD in the mail from Jeff and a track in my email as a submission to be featured on my website's monthly mixtape. So, being that I'd never really heard of Telegraph Canyon, I assume many of you wonderful readers haven't yet had the chance to endear yourselves to them... thus, we'll begin with a little bit about the band.

Compared by some to My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes, and The Low Anthem, this Fort Worth, Texas 6-piece has made a name for themselves opening for bands such as Broken Social Scene and Old 97's. Having read genre tags for this band ranging from Southern Gothic to Dark Folk, I think the most accurate description of this band would defy any specific genre. Based upon my limited knowledge of this new member of the VBM family, I'd just introduce them to you by saying that Telegraph Canyon is a band that make earnest and desperate music using elements of folk, jazz, rock, and pop along with multiple instruments to create a sound that is both contemplative and yearning in its feel.

For me, the immediate comparison that came to mind for The Tide and the Current was The Arcade Fire. And, for me, that isn't altogether positive, as The Arcade Fire is to me a less dynamic and interesting version of what I fell in love with about Modest Mouse. Upon further listens, I see why this comparison came to mind (the instrumentation, specifically) but can quickly see it fading with each listen. Whether or not it's a good point of reference is now beyond me, but since I have negative feelings about The Arcade Fire and positive ones about Telegraph Canyon, the comparison has nearly disappeared for me.

The album flows well and demonstrates solid musicianship, as well as an awkwardness that seems intentional and is thoroughly enjoyable. Tempo changes abound. The vocals are very emotive and, at times, straining as if trying to reach something unattainable. While I reviewed this album once before, since that time the album has certainly grown on me. It seems that type of album, one that grabs you a bit in the beginning, but truly takes hold when you allow it to tug gradually at your heart strings.

The more "upbeat" (not sure that's really the word) tracks are my favorites. "Into the Wood" and "Safe on the Outside" open the album up with a quality that sets the tone for the album. The album treads through "Shake Your Fist" next, a song that belongs in a Zach Braff movie. While the rest of the album continues to grow on me, these first 3 tracks happen not only to set the tone for the album, but are also my favorites on the album. All 3 reak of emotion, notably that same earnest desperation I mentioned earlier. Yet, it's not a desperation strictly of pain and sorrow, but a hopeful desperation, striving for more.

Overall, this is an album I have grown to enjoy over the past couple of weeks. Typical genres aside, it falls into a category of music that I call "Gina Music". Named after one of my best friends, this category of music that Telegraph Canyon surely belongs to is populated by the likes of The Shins, The Weakerthans, The New Pornographers, and Of Montreal (all bands that Gina loves). I expect that when I share this CD with her, it will join heavy rotation quite quickly. Telegraph Canyon's album is the best "Gina Music" album, I've heard in ages.