Snowmine - "Laminate Pet Animal"

Artist: Snowmine
Record: Laminate Pet Animal
Label: Self-released
Release Date: May 3rd, 2011
Review by: Sean Kayden

There are thousands upon thousands of bands in the world. Obviously, it’s an impossible feat to hear them all. However once in awhile you come across a band or an album that hits you like a ton of bricks. Snowmine’s debut record, “Laminate Pet Animal” is one of those bands. A psychedelic-indie group that is a far cry from other performing acts in this modern age of rock music. While comparisons can be drawn from other well-established acts such as My Morning Jacket, Death Cab For Cutie and Fleet Foxes, I feel that Snowmine is composed of the best elements of what those bands offer and then some. Ironically, the aforementioned bands have released new records this year, but none of them come close capturing the magic and essence of Snowmine. What makes this even more of a surprise is how Laminate Pet Animal is merely Snowmine’s first album, while the other bands, with maybe the exception of Fleet Foxes, are considered veteran musicians. The rookie here definitely outshines the seasoned pros in multiple aspects.

“Laminate Pet Animal” is immersed with beautifully composed arrangements, soaring string sections and painstakingly gorgeous vocals. An often spacey and magical soundscape places the listener on an expedition of music wonderment. It is a very rate site to find one’s self not skipping tracks on albums these days. That’s the case here since every song feels just as important as the last. The album permeates into your mind and forms an imaginary world. A world you’re not too familiar with, but love the uncertainty it brings. It’s the kind of album you have to deeply get into. I don’t see that to be much of a challenge since the composition does much of the work for you. The sum of its parts is not greater than its whole though. To enjoy the record to its fullest, one must listen and listen thoroughly to each consecutive track. The journey is relatively short, but the experience is everlasting. Snowmine have crafted a superlatively debut album that may be mistaken for an album from a band deep into their career. I’m not sure what’s more fascinating, the fact this album is undeniably great or the potential of where Snowmine can go next.

Grayson Sanders showcases his soulful side on the track “This One”, where he sings “Let’s fade away and make time for another day.” I can tell you this; you will not want this feeling to ever fade away anytime soon. The vocals for “Hologram”, the closing track on LPA, reminds me much of Jim James of My Morning Jacket. The arrangement is something from Fleet Foxes’ latest endeavor. However, unlike MMJ of the past few years, Snowmine’s music is more focused and less concerned with reinventing themselves with every single song they perform. A little more half way into the slow tempo “Hologram” is where it really picks up. It concludes the rather melancholy album on an upbeat note. Just like this song, the entire record is very well balanced while distinctively going back and forth from a moody atmosphere to jovial beats, such as the ones found on “The Hill” and “Danger in the Snow!” “LPA” is a whirlwind that is comprised of small jolts and hasty collisions. No matter the impact, the songs always leave a lasting impression on the listener. To be moved greatly is an understatement and to be unaffected is clearly unlikely.

Grade 9.2 out of 10
Best Tracks: "Beast in Air, Beast In Water", "The Hill", "Trial and Error", "This One"

Published on November 26th, 2011 by Mountain Views News
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n48/p11.htm