The Darcys -- S/T (Arts & Crafts)

Canadian based The Darcys label themselves a “post-soul shoegaze” band. I have no idea what that means, because what I’m hearing here is atmospheric rock music with a little bit of operatic singing that occasionally is soulful, but not really worth the tag. You know this type of music; it is a well-known type. It is a style that makes you think about your well-worn copies of Grace and Kid A. Though the band has a perfectionist (or obsessive, if you will) tendency that has caused numerous lineups and scrapped sessions, they’ve settled on a lineup, and this is their debut—and this is the first of three vinyl-only releases. It’s a safe bet to say that the obsession was worth it. Vocalist Jason Couse has a pretty powerful range; though his voice may sound like them, he’s no Jeff Buckley or Thom Yorke, and thankfully doesn’t try to strain himself to fit in that category. And whether it’s the jaunty “Glasnost,” the driving “Edmonton to Purgatory,” or the moody epics “House Built Around Your Voice” or “The Mountains Made Way,” it’s clear that The Darcys are an ambitious group who, through hours spent on honing their songs, have made a record of deep rock that may not be the most original sounding, but The Darcys is varied just enough to keep it from becoming monotonous or overly cliche. This is the first in a trilogy; I am curious to hear what the next record sounds like.