Review Summary: How about a little love for straightforward rock?
Let’s face it, straightforward rock doesn’t get a lot of love these days. The accessibility and conventional structuring that is associated with the sub-genre generally screams mainstream radio rock; therefore failing to garner the respect of the underground listeners by default. Aussie rockers Gyroscope have always presented somewhat of a disparity from your predictable rock group by never quite breaking into the mainstream (outside of Australia), contrary to what you may believe. Gyroscope began making a name for themselves in the early 2000’s when they were able to land supporting shows for Unwritten Law, Dashboard Confessional, and Blink-182 among others where the band fostered enough attention to exhibit themselves as their own commodity. By riding the wave of their intensely energetic live performances and the success of their early EP’s, Gyroscope released commended full-length releases “Sound Shattering Sound,” “Are You Involved?” and eventually “Breed Obsession” in 2008.
Gyroscope’s 2010 release indicates the group’s decision to steer in a much more focused direction. “Cohesion” is essentially a testament to its title, maintaining a strict cohesiveness that portrays its playability in both a track-by-track and complete record sense. Its consistency is also propelled in large part by the inner chemistry of the group itself. Not a great deal is likely to jump out at you when listening to “Cohesion,” but each member gives the impression that they work with one another with such attunement. The record is keen on its utilization of blistering riffs, incongruent dynamics, and Daniel Sanders’ soaring clean vocals, all of which play an intricate role in creating the melting pot. Monstrous choruses and infectious hooks are strewn throughout “Cohesion” and are fundamentally what bestows Gyroscope its appeal.
Ignoring the brief section in the record’s opening seconds in which lead singer Daniel Sanders gives the impression of a Billie Joe Armstrong sound-alike, the vocalist presents himself as a distinct commodity. Sanders is instrumental in showcasing a respectable range and versatility when required, even exploiting a delicate falsetto on lighter tracks such as
Working With Wood and
Fifty500.
Baby, I’m Getting Better conveys Sanders at a compelling and passionate level, as he elevates a rather uneventful track with the assistance of some warming harmonies. Most significantly, Sanders exhibits the capability of precisely accentuating the mood; solidifying his role as an effective front-man.
“Cohesion” may very well be the album that propels Gyroscope into the mainstream for the very reason that it chuck full of tracks that scream single.
Some of the Places I Know is the most radio-ready song of all of them, facilitated by contagious melodies and a hook-laden formula. This factor does not seem to waver much on the album, with the lively
What Do I Know About Pain? and zealous
Working With Wood following suit. The record’s ultimate underscore could very well be its concluding track
Spider, in which is one of the few songs utilizing an acoustic guitar.
Spider is successful in both bringing closure and presenting “Cohesion” with its definitive track.
Gyroscope is, needless to say one of the more relevant conventional rock bands of the day that have not quite received the recognition they deserve outside of Australia. Their 2010 release “Cohesion” is a consistent and focused piece of work that will make for one of the better “rock” records of the year, but is ultimately lacking in bringing the band to the next level. Perhaps “Cohesion” is the record that Gyroscope will build on in the preceding years, but for now is an engaging listen for fans of a misunderstood sub-genre.
Recommended Tracks:
Some of the Places I Know
Working With Wood
What Do I Know About Pain?
Don’t Forget Me When I Die
Spider
