If memory serves, this was one of the first promo CD's I ever got eight years ago, and it was because I had a friend who was "in" with Revelation Records, so she somehow got me added to their promo list before I actually started writing reviews and stuff. But back when this album was released sometime in 2000, I did review it during the first year of the site's existence. I'd dig that review out from the archives on my old computer for the hell of it, but I guarantee you it would be at least 10 times worse than any of the bullshit I put up here today, so I'll go ahead and save myself the embarrassment. 'Cause I never really knew much about this band, anyway. Thus reads the rather brief bio on their inexplicably still living website (which hasn't been updated since 2005, and the band called it quits in the summer of 2004):
Garrison was a four-piece band from Boston/Brooklyn. Started in 1998 by Ed and Joseph, and ended in 2004 by Ed and Joseph. Between those dates they made loads of records with J. Robbins, Kurt Ballou, Andrew Schneider, Brian McTernan, and Ethan Dussault, and toured all over this country and many others.They never traveled in what you would call style, but have had several intimate moments with other people's floors. They all now do new things, but remember Garrison fondly because it was something exceptional.
Sooo... yeah. I'm not really offering much insight here, am I? But I guess that doesn't really matter. I'll just do what I always do and rant 'n' rave about the music.
"A Mile in Cold Water" was Garrison's debut full-length in a sea of predominantly EP's and splits (Which reminds me that after all these years I still need to get off my ass and pick up some of that stuff!), and it took some time to grow on me. I don't know if maybe I just wasn't feeling that much indie rock type stuff back when this record came out or what, but I specifically remember being absolutely blown away by opener "After the Fight" (which is still one of the best songs I've ever heard from this genre—a true one-in-a-million gem) upon first listen, but initially thinking the rest of the album was kind of so-so. I always hung onto it, though, because the opening track was just so fucking perfect, and slowly but surely, the rest of the album started to pick up steam for me, too.
And then last year it happened (apparently last year was a big year for me in terms of properly "discovering" albums that I'd already known about for years): I realized that, sure, the first song is fucking amazing, but damn near every other track on this album is absolutely awesome as well. There's just a great balance of catchy, rocked out energy and the brighter, moodier, emo type stuff that sways from sing-along styled choruses to darker and more "atmospherically" layered guitar work, not to mention quite a few token post-hardcore elements. It's just a damn solid record through and through. I've been listening to it more and more in the last few months, and I'm certainly wishing it had hit me this completely eight years ago, because there are a couple of tracks herein that definitely start flicking those switches, you know? The gut reactions and emotional connections/responses that so little music is truly able to hit upon. I fuckin' love that...
These two tracks are the finest examples for me. Both just kick my ass all over the place, and in completely different ways:
Garrison "After the Fight"
Garrison "Fuel"
Aaaaaand yep. As with so many other records that I love dearly, you can find this on Amazon for a fucking penny. I mean, what the hell is wrong with people!? Seriously!
Comments
Cool record, I too always felt After The Fight was a standout track. I didn’t fully appreciate this band till the next full length “Be A Criminal.” You should check that out.
2.1.2008 | By Paul
I always thought their debut “The Bend Before The Break” was really average from start to finish, and so never really gave the follow-up releases a chance. Think I’ll give this one another spin now though.
2.2.2008 | By Adam G
Awesome band. I have everything. Great post!
2.2.2008 | By RAGEONOMICS
have you heard god fires man already? it features grillo and is basically instruction minus capone, plus some dude from gameface(?). i don’t think the full length’s officially out as yet, but… “braille graffiti” is an amazing song.
2.3.2008 | By chris
I’m all for rediscovering old records! I like “Be a Criminal” slightly better than these clips. These were enjoyable, though, so I’ll keep an eye out for this record.
2.4.2008 | By Invisible Oranges
I LOVED this record when it came out and I’ve been thinking about it again recently. thanks for reminding me to break it out.
2.10.2008 | By Steve
Guys from this were in the Artie Shepard helmed bands Errortype 11, INstruction and now God Fires Man.. worth checking
2.27.2008 | By lifetime
“Be A Criminal” is more fully realized, but this one rules.
Joe’s in God Fires Man with Artie and Drew from Into Another, and in Gay for Johnny Depp, AND in I Hate Our Freedom.
Ed is now Rory Stark, and fronts Campaign For Real-Time. Amazing stuff from them.
3.30.2008 | By Michael T. Fournier
wow, god fires man’s publicist came across this doing a routine web search and sent it my way. thanks for the kind words after all this time. i have mixed feeling about this record myself as we were in the middle of losing our rhythm during the recording and there was a lot of stress associated with it. but if you can put it on now and enjoy it then i am pleased. like michael said above i am involved in God Fires Man (heavy alternative rock w/ artie shepherd and drew thomas) Gay for Johnny Depp (chaos) and I Hate Our Freedom (myself and scott from pilot to gunner, justin from milhouse and jack from pipedown getting drunk and rocking out).
Ed’s Campaign for Real Time is insane!
all the best- if anyone wants some colored vinyl of that record write the GFM myspace. ha
4.1.2008 | By joseph grillo