Geese Soar: From Post-Punk to Jam Band Bliss

Brooklyn-based Geese has undergone a significant sonic transformation, shedding their gritty post-punk identity for a more expansive and audacious jam band sound on their latest release, '3D Country'. This evolution marks a departure from their 2021 debut, 'Projector', moving towards a brighter, proggier aesthetic reminiscent of the indie rock scene's jam-oriented era.

The album opens with "2122," where vocalist Cameron Winter adopts a liberated, almost shamanistic delivery, invoking eclectic mythological figures. The band complements this by incorporating diverse musical elements, including dueling guitar riffs, banjo, and a solid rhythmic foundation from the bass and drums, creating a sound that is both chaotic and gleeful.

Geese's music now emphasizes dynamics, space, and melody, particularly in the first half of the record. Tracks like "3D Country" offer a slower tempo with added depth from background vocals and piano, while "Cowboy Nudes" features singalong melodies. "Tomorrow's Crusades" even incorporates wedding strings and falsetto, presenting a rare moment of sonic beauty for the band.

While the album's momentum wanes in its latter half, with songs like "Undoer" and "Crusades" leaning towards extended jamming, the band's comfort in this new sound is evident. Winter suggests this shift reflects a transition from "teenage angst" to "twenty-something arrogance," with lyrical themes touching upon modern anxieties like climate change and perseverance, though these are most apparent upon closer lyrical examination.