The Channel

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Multigoods & Services

C-Side, 2019

9/10

Listen to Multigoods & Services

An Austin outfit with an affinity for recording in various rooms of the members’ homes, this 4th album from The Channel brings influences from the ‘60s on, in an extremely diverse and exciting delivery.

“Trumpet Trick In Tempo” gets the album off to a vocally harmonic and subdued start of horn filled haze, before “Days Ind” jumps right into bright and summery instrumentation that’s immediately infectious and fun.

Elsewhere, “She Sea Monster” brings some lo-fi, garage rock sensibilities to the affair, while “When By The Light” recruits a multifaceted approach of pop, rock and retro qualities to the melodic setting. The best tune, “Reason For The Feeling”, then emits lively organs and a full atmosphere and buzzing, gritty rock’n’roll.

Near the end, “Everything’s Disappeared” uses banjos and percussion strategically on the festive romping, and “The Deserted” utilizes strings and keys for a moody instrumental. “Anywhere We Go” ends the listen and continues the orchestral slant with a restrained, warm exit of dynamic instrumentation between the family band.

It isn’t very often that you’ll find me thinking that a 16 track album isn’t enough, but in this case I didn’t want the album to end. The Channel may have an identity crisis, but we’re all better off for it on this fantastically unique record.

Travels well with: They Might Be Giants- Idlewild: A Compilation; Sebadoh- Harmacy