When you hear a soaring voice reaching into the heavens backed by a hard-rocking wall of guitars, strings and piano, the easiest thing to do is write the sound off as another Evanescence.
But when further attention is paid to North Carolina’s Bellglide, we find that there’s more: A textured, luscious, melodic album bound tightly together by the talent of the group’s four members. Taylor Short’s guitar can fly from Radiohead to Pearl Jam, courting Kate Gregory’s voice like a tender lover. John Cates’ drums and Adam Roth’s bass march to every different beat, keeping the most unruly and furious of times.
Having already released a critically successful EP, the band takes this full-length album—produced by Mitch Easter (Pavement, R.E.M.)—as an opportunity to leave behind the hard-rock sound a bit, slow down the pace and add some melody. “Everyday” has a guitar solo that could be the electric twin of Rod Stewart’s “Gasoline Alley,” while Gregory’s vocals caress the song like a warmer Paula Cole. Softer, singer/songwriter colors run through most of the album.
“Natural Disaster” sounds emotional and radio-friendly without being drivel. The reflective “Finite” offers a hushed pause in the album, scented like Rachael Yamagata and bound to fit perfectly into an episode of Smallville. “Go Ahead” brings in the jam-band rhythms of Rusted Root to compliment the guitar reverb, and Gregory’s ever-changing voice moves from silky smoothness to passionate strength and back again, all in one breath. With her range and the band’s versatility, Bellglide has established itself as a group to keep an eye on.
To purchase Bellglide’s music, visit www.bellglide.com.