Review Summary: A strong development for the group, worth hearing for “Onanon” alone.
Growing are an instrumental rock outfit based in Brooklyn, NY. Formed in 2001 as a three-man group, they have been reduced solely to guitarist Joe Denardo and Kevin Doria on bass. The group has a large amount of recorded material, and released
Vision Swim in 2007.
Growing is not your typical instrumental rock group. On
Vision Swim especially they feature a score of electronic noises making them sound at times more like an appliance store then a band. Take the fifteen minute “Onanon” for example; a track which swells beautifully, half of it is made up of squeals and sporadic electronic clatter which bursts randomly as though penned during a fit of tourettes. The rest of the record follows suit, with eccentric drones and noise making up a large portion of
Vision Swim.
What balances the noise on the record is the ambience which so often pervades. “Morning Drive” is basically two chords played incessantly, surrounded by muted harmonies and a blurry melody. The track is a little awkward, feeling drunken and almost messy, but repeated listens reveal that the sloppiness is intended and that realization aids in appreciation for it. Once you understand what they are doing the ambience envelops you. The atmospheres they create are wonderful; each note of the every chord seeps through you, washing over you.
No other tracks rival “Onanon” but they serve their purpose. “Emseepee” is composed of a simple synth foundation and laconic melodic noise which laces the top. Nothing special or notably creative, but you wouldn't think of skipping over it. Opener “Limbo” serves as a raw but appealing opener, and the atmospheric “Lightfoot” takes the listener from soft musical noise into a rhythmic whirlwind of melodic bliss.
Repetitive? Sure, but if you’ve heard any of their previous material you expect that, and the repetition works, rather then being a shortcoming or problem. It is what the group does best, taking something and working it to its limit, and sometimes beyond, which they do in fascinating ways. This album is great, and if you’re one not bored by simplicity or repetition you should find this enjoyable.
