22 Dec 2024
The Grand Bazaar - Single Review: The Gunslinger
25 Mar 2020 // A review by Callum Wagstaff
The Gunslinger is the debut single by brand new band The Grand Bazaar. Formed in November 30th of 2019, very little
information is yet known about this mysterious entity other than two of its members: Mama Hollywood and Hound McFox.
What they represent is vaguely psycho-spiritual but fundamentally cryptic. Time will tell what they're all about as they reveal themselves further.
Their first single was written as Covid-19 was just beginning to make the world a little nervous. The Grand Bazaar imply a
connection between The Gunslinger and the theme of isolation inspired by the pandemic. Accompanying the song is a
breath-taking video shot all over the ranges of the South Island's 'middle earth' region.
The Gunslinger is a moody western song, incorporating elements of spoken word and blues to tell a short story about the
mysterious supernatural entity given its name by the protagonist. The Gunslinger stalks the storyteller, making them a pariah to everyone around them. There is a twist at the end that I won't spoil here.
As the song opens, the use of space leaves room for the guitar parts to bleed their 'barren desert' sound through. A great bass line alternates between the mid and low ranges, providing the rambling foundation for the wandering figure in the video. Unlike the more narrative focused lyrics, the video works like a showcase of the amazing scenery, using impressive aerial shots and interesting reframing. The figure walks all over the landscape, but by the end doesn't really go anywhere.
The choruses could benefit from some rhythm guitar or mid-range instrument, as the space left to create tension and atmosphere in the verse doesn't really get filled at a point where the song is otherwise shifting up the gears. The bridge is great to hear through headphones; the vocal delay repeats move from left to right and the guitar parts do a call and response. There is still space in the frequencies for some more foundational sounds but the tom heavy drums accent the foreboding low-end against the dynamic strokes of the guitars. The last section after the earth-shaking twist in the story blends elements from earlier in the song with new articulation and cinematic pacing.
The Gunslinger is a dramatic western gothic tale played against the backdrop of a jaw droppingly beautiful video. Being the first single from such a new band, we can't be sure if the next couple of songs will continue in the same genre, or different genre's in the same storytelling style, or continue drawing direct inspiration from current events and reflecting the music based on those interpretations. If The Grand Bazaar continue with this level of production value, they're sure to attract an enthusiastic following whatever direction they pivot to from here.
The Gunslinger is the debut single by brand new band The Grand Bazaar. Formed in November 30th of 2019, very littleinformation is yet known about this mysterious entity other than two of its members: Mama Hollywood and Hound McFox.
What they represent is vaguely psycho-spiritual but fundamentally cryptic. Time will tell what they're all about as they reveal themselves further.
Their first single was written as Covid-19 was just beginning to make the world a little nervous. The Grand Bazaar imply a
connection between The Gunslinger and the theme of isolation inspired by the pandemic. Accompanying the song is a
breath-taking video shot all over the ranges of the South Island's 'middle earth' region.
The Gunslinger is a moody western song, incorporating elements of spoken word and blues to tell a short story about the
mysterious supernatural entity given its name by the protagonist. The Gunslinger stalks the storyteller, making them a pariah to everyone around them. There is a twist at the end that I won't spoil here.
As the song opens, the use of space leaves room for the guitar parts to bleed their 'barren desert' sound through. A great bass line alternates between the mid and low ranges, providing the rambling foundation for the wandering figure in the video. Unlike the more narrative focused lyrics, the video works like a showcase of the amazing scenery, using impressive aerial shots and interesting reframing. The figure walks all over the landscape, but by the end doesn't really go anywhere.
The choruses could benefit from some rhythm guitar or mid-range instrument, as the space left to create tension and atmosphere in the verse doesn't really get filled at a point where the song is otherwise shifting up the gears. The bridge is great to hear through headphones; the vocal delay repeats move from left to right and the guitar parts do a call and response. There is still space in the frequencies for some more foundational sounds but the tom heavy drums accent the foreboding low-end against the dynamic strokes of the guitars. The last section after the earth-shaking twist in the story blends elements from earlier in the song with new articulation and cinematic pacing.
The Gunslinger is a dramatic western gothic tale played against the backdrop of a jaw droppingly beautiful video. Being the first single from such a new band, we can't be sure if the next couple of songs will continue in the same genre, or different genre's in the same storytelling style, or continue drawing direct inspiration from current events and reflecting the music based on those interpretations. If The Grand Bazaar continue with this level of production value, they're sure to attract an enthusiastic following whatever direction they pivot to from here.
Rating:
( 4 / 5 )
About The Grand Bazaar
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for The Grand Bazaar
Releases
There are no releases to display for The Grand Bazaar.
Other Reviews By Callum Wagstaff
SD-2100 - Album Review: Not Bred to Feel the Fat
29 Oct 2024 // by Callum Wagstaff
Sam Densem, better known as SD-2100 (a brand of metal detector but that's not what he's named after), is aggressively prolific. By the time this review is published he's already released two more EP's and a compilation.
Read More...
Saurian - EP Review: Bled Dry
09 Sep 2024 // by Callum Wagstaff
From Dunedin, New Zealand comes Saurian, a four-piece hard rock band with a new EP called Bled Dry which came out Friday the 13th of September. The 5 song EP includes the band's latest 3 singles, Devil Among Men, Down at the Crown, and Park Bench.
Read More...
Moider Mother - Album Review: Miracle Healing Crusade
28 Apr 2024 // by Callum Wagstaff
"Take a pinch of Raincoats, add a tablespoon of early Swans, sauté in the first Stooges album and add half a brick. Put it in a sock.
Read More...
Swamp Rat Collective - EP Review: Flash Sneakers
16 Apr 2024 // by Callum Wagstaff
The Swamp Rat Collective is a dirty, matted tangle of influences from the guitar music of the era between the late 80's and early 2000's. The project is a collaboration between Paul Cowsill (rhythm and bass guitar) and Adam Gatt (lead guitar) that crosses the ocean, comprising parties from Auckland, New Zealand as well as London, UK.
Read More...
Daniel Ashcroft - Album Review: Chica De La Bum
05 Feb 2024 // by Callum Wagstaff
Daniel Ashcroft is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer based in Feilding.His musical goals are simple: He wants to play every instrument he possibly can, explore every genre and collaborate with as many singers as possible.
Read More...
Dub Asylum - EP Review: Time & Space EP
19 Nov 2023 // by Callum Wagstaff
Dub Asylum is the musical alias for Peter McLennan, former member of 90's reggae-thrash-punk-ska mutants the Hallelujah Picassos. Now working solo, Peter McLennan's Dub Asylum is a musical mash-up of dub reggae, hip-hop and funk.
Read More...
Bad Jelly Collective - EP Review: WESTBOUND&DOWN
10 Oct 2023 // by Callum Wagstaff
Bad Jelly Collective is the brainchild of 'Bad Jelly' Ben. Tucked away in his Huia road Home Studio in the Waitakere Ranges, Ben weaves his psychedelic soundscapes together with the creative forces of his team of musical mates.
Read More...
Album Review: Cautionary Tales
16 Aug 2023 // by Callum Wagstaff
Cautionary Tales is an alt-rock band based in Aotearoa, via Berlin and New York. It's an art-rock outfit built around the type of myths and legends where somebody gets screwed over for riding a scorpion or not tipping an old lady.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
