Terry Gross’s Breakthrough with ‘Huge Improvement’: The Triumph of Psychedelic Rock in 2024
#terrygross #vinyl #indiemusic
Terry Gross’s musical prowess is a narrative of sonic brilliance and finesse, amplified in their 2024 release, ‘Huge Improvement’. Comprising the virtuoso trio, Phil Becker on drums, Donny Newenhouse on bass, and the acclaimed guitarist Phil Manley from Trans Am, the band unleashes a spectrum of emotions in their songs, navigating between intense ferocity to agile artistry. The band’s ingenuity lies in their ability to juggle their roles as performers and recording engineers, painting a vivid soundscape marked by masterful precision.
In ‘Huge Improvement’, Terry Gross delightfully encapsulates the enigmatic energy of their live performances, with compositions that borrow from their bluegrass experiences and explore the rhythmic expanse of progressive rock. Each session unwrapped a labyrinth of futuristic concepts, defying the boundaries of space rock while reveling in humor and absurdity. With Giant Sand’s eccentric experimentation and the relentless riffs reminiscent of Tortoise, Terry Gross sort of playfully navigates between sonic despair and tranquil reprieve.
The tongue-in-cheek title ‘Huge Improvement’ represents an evolution from their debut album ‘Soft Opening’. Each track on the album springs from unpremeditated studio jam sessions, sprinkled with intuitive experimentation, and is meticulously chiseled into more refined contours. Tracks like ‘Sheepskin City’, a sardonic commentary on inconstancy, emerges in a crescendo of layered guitar and drum heroics, while ‘Sales Pitch’ deconstructs into a sonorous melange of sludgy dirge and textured crunch.
Another hallmark of versatility is showcased in their track ‘Full Disclosure’, a testament to their indisputable chemistry as a band. The unedited track presents a raw chronicle of one of their jams, exuding a languid energy. The closing track ‘Effective Control’ introduces an innovative pop edge to their music, building up to a climactic finale that is both gripping and invigorating.
Terry Gross’s musical odyssey transcends the borders of conventional rock, borrowing influences from bands like Trans Am and Fugazi. Yet, they maintain their unique identity, exploring notions of technology, the temporary nature of things, and the intrinsic humor in existential crisis. On one hand, tracks like ‘Sales Pitch’ walk a tightrope between corporate paranoia and technological dystopia, while on the other hand, ‘Effective Control’ is a playful demand for ‘more cowbell’, highlighting Becker’s commendable drumming skills.
True to its name, ‘Huge Improvement’ marks significant evolution from their debut and creates an immersive musical experience. The four-track album is a concatenation of uncharted journeys, sometimes ablaze with pulsating energy, at other times simmering in the whispers of smoke. The charismatic trio offers an entrancing respite from chaos, empowering listeners to embrace the senseless around them with a smile. With ‘Huge Improvement’, Terry Gross charter a course that is as internally enlightening as it is cosmically expansive, holding a promise of more mesmerizing soundscapes to come.
Learn more about Terry Gross
