The first FatCat release from indie band, Gregory & the Hawk is simple and lovely. And it is a lovely story, the story of Meredith Godreau, an independent artist from the big apple, who in 2003 conceived Gregory and the Hawk. Godreau, like most female singer songwriters, did not want to be shelved as just that, instead taking on a childhood memory of her brother, Gregory, and his imaginary hawk, as her stage name. Both GATH’s previous record releases were self-released (selling over 15 000 in 2006) setting high expectations for this record and proving that she could definitely stand on her own two feet. However, the label has been able to widen GATH’s audience, to not only Myspace friends.
This charming release offers a fragility alike a female Elliot Smith, and similar to Godreau’s influences: Liz Phair and PJ Harvey. The vocals are delightful in both lyrical content and pitch. The pening track Oats We Sow, paints a pleasant picture to what is a delicate and insightful look at life according the Godreau, and the lessons you can learn along the way. Lyrically, the structure of each track are metaphors used in rhyming couplets, which end up complementing Gordeau’s ability to construct beautiful word patterns. This record is so easy to listen to it is gentle enough that each track morphs into the next, sending you into a day dream.
Godreau has the ability to paint some beautiful landscapes with her lyrics that you often forget that you are listening to her first release, and begin to think you are listening to a classical poet. She frequently offers the listener to begin journeys with her, dealing with a second person frame. The gentle solo acoustics and pretty vocals, that are typical of GATH are challenged in this record, when sometimes haunting and spooky vocals are coupled with fuller instrumentation and a more passionate production – songs like Grey Weather, and Ghost examples of this. The cover art of this record embellish the exact emotions of the record on the whole – fascinating, insightful and charming.
I am definite that this record, and many of GATH’s future releases, will have the ability to become timeless – she is a poet!
Originally published on: thedwarf.com.au