To say that we already know to expect the unexpected with Garret Gleason is, simply put, a massive understatement. We’ve seen the guy orchestrate ever expanding black holes of sound on albums like Good Needle and Guitar Songs, not to mention the absolute King Crimson-on-fire madness he’s made in partnership with Niko Wood, and all of this is just scratching the surface.
But of course, when you do it right people actually never know what’s coming. Gleason has established a huge range at this point, and a pretty robust portfolio of techniques when it comes to illustrating or embellishing his points, so for him to sidestep that range would be, you guessed it – unexpected.
That being said, All Takes Shape is also a great place for first time listeners to dip their toes, as Garrett’s songwriting strengths are condensed and brought to the forefront on songs like “Lightning From the Chest” and “Ten Seconds to Myself Every Two Minutes,” which tosses bits of DnB and jungle into the mix with math rock and prog, resulting in something stimulating, transfixing, and unmistakably Garrett.
The record’s frenetic moments are balanced with a number of beautiful ones as well, and it’s in the latter that All Takes Shape‘s overall theme really shines though. These tracks, like “The Thing That Does It,” the title track, and “Pure Nerves” exude feelings rooted in the ecstatic, endlessly evolving dance of parenthood:
“In expecting a child, Gleason asked himself, “How can I introduce my child to my sound?” The answer is his 9-song offering titled All Takes Shape, a collection of music that displays Gleason’s eccentricities while extending a hand inviting someone new into the world of alternative instrumental music.”
So in a way, yes, it’s dad rock – but not like you’ve ever heard it before. It’s far more direct, and framed in a way only Garrett Gleason could do it. You know, unless your dad’s Garrett Gleason himself or some kind of guitar playing alien that parties with Robert Fripp. Regardless, fans of Gleason’s other works or other experimental titans like Holy Western Parallels will find much to love, and maybe even grow with, on All Takes Shape.
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