The Valery Trails' debut album, Ghosts And Gravity, is an interesting intercontinental collaboration by two brothers from opposite sides of the globe, brought together through sheer determination and a shared love of music.
Originally from Brisbane, brothers Sean and Andrew Bower almost dissolved the band following Andrew's departure overseas for work. It's this distance, however, that makes the album so interesting.
Recorded on other sides of the world, the result is a mixture of moody, guitar-led indie/pop tracks with a hint of rough-around-the-edges country.
Simple, ambient tracks such as On The Perfume River and Horizon take you back to early '90s alternative rock memories and Andrew's vocals draw comparisons Michael Stipe. Another comparison to be drawn is In The Sun, a beautifully romantic song with an acoustic guitar line not too unlike Oasis's Wonderwall.
This Town is a great, catchy pop number that discusses the disorientation of returning home after a long absence. Unfortunately the basic lyrics fall short of what the melody promises and don't cut through as well as they could do.
The album is lifted by country-inspired I See A Light (another homecoming song) and (On The Needle Of) These Days wraps the album up in a comforting fashion with harmonies aided by guest vocalist Chenoa Farrell. The album's solid without shining.
