Souvenirs

• Artist: The Gathering
• Rating:
• Release Date: May 07, 2003
• Genre: Rock

Review

For those in the know, the release of Souvenirs was one to watch closely. In the two years since If_Then_Else, the Gathering had decided to push their more experimental side even further, as well as part ways with the label that they had been with for years (many said that it was the new directions of the Gathering and the inability of the label to market them that signaled the end). Fortunately, this band has learned to experiment with a fully realized sense of purpose, so it doesn't mean that Souvenirs has any wild new changes thrown in, outside of a guest vocalist. Sure, it's not really all that different from If_Then_Else or How to Measure a Planet? at first glance, but repeated listens open up the detailed touches of a band clearly interested in taking its progressive tendencies to new levels. The album has keyboards that are never overbaked ("We Just Stopped Breathing," "Jelena") and vocals that are absolutely angelic ("You Learn About It," "A Life All Mine"), not to mention spectacular drumming ("Even the Spirits Are Afraid") and a sly sense of keeping riffs from getting too monotonous ("Monsters"). It's not a huge step forward, but it's most certainly the best step the band could have made at this point. One senses that while they're leaving some of the more pedestrian metal elements of the old days behind, in a way the Gathering are attempting to forge new styles based on slow, careful, almost studied growth. With each album an improvement over its predecessor, the only way is up. ~ Chris True, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
These Good People	The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen	The Gathering	(5:55)
Even the Spirits Are Afraid	The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen	The Gathering	(5:12)
Broken Glass	The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen	The Gathering	(4:59)
You Learn About It	The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen	The Gathering	(5:08)
Souvenirs	The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen	The Gathering	(6:06)
We Just Stopped Breathing	The Gathering	The Gathering	(6:51)
Monsters	The Gathering	The Gathering	(5:01)
Golden Grounds	The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen	The Gathering	(4:52)
Jelena	The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen	The Gathering	(10:09)
A Life All Mine	The Gathering, Anneke Van Giersbergen	The Gathering	(5:07)

Credits

The Gathering (Arranger), Alan Ward (Mastering), Frank Boeijen (?), Anneke Van Giersbergen (?), Hans Rutten (?), René Rutten (Mixing), Hugo Prinsen Geerligs (?), Sietze Gardenier (Engineer), Mathias Eick (Trumpet), David Klooker (Engineer)

• Genres: Rock

Biography

To an outsider, Seattle's music scene is not known for much outside of '70s rock or, of course, dark and inevitable grunge. But in truth, it is the home of a formidable underground vintage and alt-country scene, taking everything from roots rockabilly, to Western swing, to distortion twang in its sweep. Artists like Neko Case, Old 97's, and the Souvenirs are some of the talents whose success has reached well beyond the city limits.

One local writer encapsulates their sound: "Storming through an Orbison-like vortex of honky tonk, Western swing, rockabilly, and timeless country ballads, the Souvenirs boast a triumphant sound that blurs the line between modern and vintage, country and old-time rock & roll" (see www.thesouvenirs.com). This ability to "storm" is gained in part through their focus on electric music, as opposed acoustic, and choosing Texas rockers over bluegrass ruminations. In live sets rhythm guitarist Terry Bratsch will frequently swap the acoustic for a Stratocaster, bringing the lineup to a full three to four electrics, including the bass guitar of Buck Edwards, attractive and stoic in the shadows of "stage right." Don Pawlak works his genius on the pedal steel to bring out some solos that verge on psychedelic, and embraces the instrument like a lusty cowboy in from the desert. Artists like Buck Owens, Ray Price, Patsy Cline, and Merle Haggard have been cited as influences to the band's style and sound. Likewise, lead singer and songwriter Lucky Lawrence, with his pink Fender Strat, Dwight Yoakam-like hint of sex appeal, and tight, but-not-as-tight-as-Dwight trousers, perpetuates classic country themes of heartbreak, seduction, and self-pity.

Still, the more things change, the more they stay the same. To this day, Seattle seems to be a landing point for anyone bold enough to pull up their roots and find a new hometown. Any native of the area can tell you, many people move in, but few seem to leave. It is not surprising then, that Americana has become such a cultish and mysteriously authentic form of nightlife in the city. It is also not surprising that the Souvenirs have roots ranging from Missoula to Pocatello and Arizona.

It was in Seattle that the members originally met and developed friendships. It's a familiar story: what culminated in a successful band, was founded on casual living room jam sessions, a history of unsatisfying struggles with other bands, seasoned friendships, and at least a little whiskey. "The way things happened just sort of crossed over from recreational playing to playing 'for real'," Lucky said in an interview. "We used to sit around the house pickin' and drinking. I think what we do still has a lot of that 'good time' ingredient. I mean, even if we hadn't ended up playing music together, we'd still be hanging out playing pool three nights a week."

Once the members decided to bag their previous musical projects, it took just a year of decisive action and hard work for the band to make an impression. Shows came quickly and numerously, and there was no question what the Souvenirs were, or that they were. Opening for acts like Derailers, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, and Wylie & the Wild West, it was becoming clear just what kind of music they were doing, and just what kind of hat one should wear if they were gonna head to the bar and see the Souvenirs on a Saturday night. Though their recorded material is pretty well-laden with tear songs and ballads, their live sets are bold, tight, and highly energetic -- at least one reason they thrive as a band (and evidence that they do).

It didn't take long to land a recording contract with Will Records in Seattle, where the Souvenirs laid down their debut, King of Heartache in 1999. The group even contributed to the movie soundtrack of The Gift. As of 2001, the Souvenirs had been touring nationally and globally, and of course, playing venues in their hometown and being heard on local radio -- with new material on the horizon, including a captivating ballad by the name of "Blue Valentine." ~ Lisa M. Smith, All Music Guide

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