Bars Of Gold – “Of Gold”

Bars of Gold is the newest product to come from the members of now defunct Bear Vs. Shark and although this new output is slightly less aggressive than the biting “Terrorhawk” or rambunctious “You’re in the Best of Hands…”, the similarities are tangible. The debut LP from this Michigan quartet goes by the title Of Gold and features the trademark vocals of Mark Paffi marching once again with the drumming of Brandon Moss.

Paffi’s delivery remains unchanged; unwavering, dynamic and completely unpredictable. Bars of Gold is experimental, intriguing, unique and provoking; it’s a promising mix, but at times it lags. The guitars on a few tracks – especially “Birds” – are similar to those of Modest Mouse, which is…okay, I guess, but it’s not great. The album succeeds when it’s more daring and shambolic; when Paffi’s voice attempts to control the wildly erratic music by howling, barking; screaming orders at his crew. It’s a pirated ship on swelling seas and the captain is a crazed prophet; it’s going to be interesting at the very least.

Of Gold is slow at times, but it succeeds when the band is firing on all cylinders, which fortunately for us, happens a fair bit of the time. The best tracks are “Heaven Has a Heater” and “Cannibals” but the short album has an organic mood that is only realized when it’s listened to all the way through. This album, and probably this band as a whole, will get most of its attention from the Bear Vs. Shark connection, but Bars Of Gold can, and should, stand alone as an interesting and uplifting expression.  [ END ]

Track listing:

01. Boss Level
02. Heaven Has a Heater
03. Birds
04. The Hustle
05. ……………..
06. Doctors & Lawyers
07. Up, Up, Up
08. Cannibals

Run Time: 36:00
Release Date: 08.24.2010