“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
It’s one of the oldest and most hackneyed cliches on the planet, but it can still ring true. I often use obvious metrics like band name, cover art, album name, and song title to determine what music I will review in a given month. I can hear people now: “How can you judge someone’s art without actually listening to it?” Well, when the name of your group is Necrotic Disgust, your record is titled Grave Digger’s Delight, and your lead single is “Surfing the Seas of Blood,” you probably aren’t making twee hipster pop.
Which brings me to Mr. Gnome.
I almost didn’t consider this album for review. Between the duo’s name, the psychedelic album title, and their home of Cleveland, OH, I expected a cross between fantasy-inspired folk, wannabe psych, and generic bar rock. If my preconceived notions about the background city to The Drew Carey Show have taught me anything, it’s that Cleveland often doesn’t rock. However, after thoroughly enjoying the eleven songs of A Sliver of Space, I can confirm that Cleveland absolutely bops. Hard.
The dark, groove-laden synth-rock created by Nicole Barille and Sam Meister provide a fresh blend of familiar sounds. Barille’s strong alto provides the perfect vehicle for new-school hipster sleaze, complete with 3 a.m.-in-the-club production. Grimy guitars, jagged synths, and aggressive drum programming with slashing syncopation combine to deliver techno-pop meets arena rock vibes. Somehow, it’s glammy and slinky without being in your face.
The album overflows with bold energy and a crucial respect for nuance.
The tracklist reveals a strong appreciation for dynamics, flow, and pacing. “Nothing and Everything” and “Fader” kick things off with brash attitude. By the halfway point, “Mind’s Gone” and “The Importance of Being Cool” show up with brooding, bluesy intensity. As the end draws nigh, “The Other Side of Nowhere” and the title track bring a relaxing feel subtly masking an ominous chill.
A Sliver of Space provides heaps of arty noise and snotty flair. But when you peel back those layers, the album offers a smart brand of electro-rock. Throughout, I hear Depeche Mode in the sensual overtones, St. Vincent in the creative guitar work, Metric in the kinetic passion, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the overall creativity. Mr. Gnome thoroughly subverted my expectations, and I couldn’t be happier.