Good Night, States - "In The Impossible Tension" EP Review

Pittsburgh’s Good Night, States just released a new EP “In the Impossible Tension” which serves as a follow-up to the band’s 2008 full-length debut Short Films on Self-Control. While the sound of this EP is a departure from the full-band sounds of Short Films on Self Control, the shift is more evolutionary than a change in direction.

This disc was recorded by singer/songwriter Steve Gretz and multi-instrumentalist Joe Tanner during the pair’s tenure in Northern New Jersey. The other three (Pittsburgh-based) members of Good Night, States will be plugging in their sound for the band’s live shows. For this EP, Gretz and Tanner filled the missing members’ sounds with homemade electronics.

I haven’t given a lot of thought to a 2009 “Top 10” list but this disc will likely be on it. The problem that I’m having with this review is finding the right words to describe the music. “Indie rock” is too generic a phrase and it doesn’t do justice to the band’s music. I received a recent email that said that I seem to ‘have an opinion on pretty much everything’ (probably a true statement) but I’m having a hard time finding a label or band that I can use as a reference point to describe Good Night, States’ music. Some of the electronic bleeping (some of which is generated by a handheld 1980 Casio VL-Tone, a calculator, etc.) sort of reminds me of Pianosarus (does anyone outside of NYC remember them?) but this too isn’t quite a valid point of comparison.

As I haven’t been able to find the right words, I’m going to try and go through some of the labels that I’ve been considering:

Charming: “In The Impossible Tension” is completely charming; this isn’t ‘cutsie’ pop but delicate arrangements of subtly complex songs

Intimate: All of the songs have a ‘warmth’ that lets you connect with both the music and the lyrics

Twee: While there are some twee-ish elements in some of the songs, this label doesn’t hold for more than a few seconds of any one song. Steve Gretz’s world-weary vocals also minimize the validity of this label

Electronic: Even with the stripped down arrangements, there is more fullness to the songs than most electronic/electronica bands

Dark: While there are some melancholy lyrics, I’m probably not the best person to judge ‘dark’ as I have this CD sitting next to some death metal CDs in my review queue. ‘Brooding’ might be a better word.

In the Pittsburgh City Paper, Steve Gretz is quoted as saying “one band member referred to this record as 'Good Night, States with the rock 'n' roll taken out.'"

Here is a full-band version of the lead-off track from the EP, "Arsonist's Blues".



Whatever the case, this EP is significantly more that a stop-gap filler and I’m looking forward to the band’s next full-length.

Links:
Good Night States

Good Night, States are Playing Spike Hill on Saturday, July 18th

DOWNLOAD: Good Night, States - "The Family Dark" (MP3)

Pittsburgh's Good Night, States are in town on Saturday, July 18th for a one-off show at Spike Hill in Williamsburg. "The Family Dark" is from Good Night, States' fabulous debut CD Short Films on Self-Control (which is now available on vinyl through the band's website) and the band has some newer tracks available on a pay-what-you-will basis also on their website.



On the bill with Good Night, States is Low Water, The Blood Sugars and Mother Sun. Good Night, States are scheduled to take the stage at 9PM.

Links:
Good Night States' MySpace Profile

Good Night, States are Playing Spike Hill Tomorrow Night, Jan. 30th

DOWNLOAD: Good Night, States: Long Coats, No Energy/Change of Seasons (Live) (MP3)

Spin Magazine cited Good Night, States as one of their buzz bands last year and said: “Like Ryan Adams singing for the Boy Least Likely To, Good Night, States marry singer-songwriter vocal stylings and confessional lyrics to near-twee tunes anchored by electronic blips, xylophone and the occasional drum machine.”

Pittsburgh's Good Night, States are playing a free show tomorrow night at Spike Hill in Williamsburg. Also on the bill are A Brief Smile and Pocketknife.

Good Night, States are taking the stage at 10PM.

Good Night, States - Killer of the One

Good Night, States are Playing Supreme Trading Tomorrow Night

I love it when a band that I am not familiar with puts out a disc that grabs my attention. I was planning on reviewing metal CDs tonight but thought I'd listen to a track or two from Good Night, States' new disc Short Films of Self-Control just to hear what the band sounds like. I've now listened to the whole disc through.

The band's music is solid, thoughtful indie-rock but it is the multi-part harmonies, the tasteful synth/piano and the multi-instrument/multi-layers of sound that grabbed and held my attention throughout the disc. This is good stuff...

Check out a couple of the tracks from this release:
Only Thing
The Family Dark

Good Night, States have been releasing singles as "name-your-price" downloads on the 1st and 15th of each month since April 2008 so keep an eye on the band's website for new material.

Tickets are $10 for tomorrow's show and the band is playing with The Shackeltons and Skeleton Breath.