Gold - Interbellum

It's always nice to find a band that goes for the retro thing like they really do wish they were living in those times today.I don't know how Gold's being marketed to the public as far as their official genre, but don't make the mistake of thinking they're a metal band. Not that you'll necessarily get that idea from the cover of their debut album, Interbellum. This is clearly a retro style band, including the brash chick on lead vocals in the vein of classic rockers Heart or Jefferson Airplane.

In terms of sound, the album is well produced, with a sound that manages to be modern in its fidelity while maintaining an authentic analog quality that's often sacrificed. That said, it's a little too loose for me to get totally on board with. I mean, I know that the lack of precision is part of what makes the retro sound so desirable, but I was actually distracted by it more than once in some of the guitar work as well as Milena's singing. Don't get me wrong, this band has talent. I guess I've just come to expect more, thanks to our modern age of ProTools and other recording assistances.

All in all, this isn't a bad debut album from this Dutch band. Gold manages to have the look and feel (and sound) of a band of like-minded musicians with a fondness for the music of another age. And that's so much better than the dozens of hack outfits that merely give the appearance of such reverence for an easy ride on nostalgia's coattails. Ain't nobody got time for that!

The Bottom Line: If you're looking to find a new band that writes and plays authentic music of an arguably better musical age in the vein of such bands as Heart or Jefferson Airplane, this is what you've been looking for. All you other retro poseurs are hereby banished!

Tracks to Listen to While Shopping Resale Shops for Purple Velvet Pants: Antebellum, Love, The Magician, Dreams, Medicine Man and The Hunt

- Genghis thinks it's been a while since he got his mind right...