The Gary
Farewell Foolish Objects
Sick Room Records
Street: 10.28.14
The Gary = Joy Division + Sonic Youth + Johnny Cash

I’ve seen some odd combinations of music in my time, and The Gary is definitely in the ranks of oddball musical fusion—bringing together elements of post-punk, roots music and Americana. The opening track, “Blank,” starts off like a straight up folk song with Dave Norwood’s vocals over simple guitar chords. Then, around the 2:22 mark, a wall of distortion and atonal riffing hits the speakers all while Norwood’s Southern-accented vocals manage to break through it. The album continues with “Coming Up For Air,” a synthesis of country twang and roots music with distorted post-punk riffs and “The End to Alvernon,” which boasts country-style vocals singing dark, deep and sincere lyrics evocative of the late Ian Curtis. While this combination is odd, The Gary actually make it work, showing off each of their inspirations in every song. –Eric U. Norris