Track Review: Verona by Geographer

If you have ever wonder what Fleet Foxes would sound like if they used synthesizers and more electronic sounding this song gives you a pretty good idea. Michael Deni's vocals are so similar to that of Robin Pecknold, that I had to make sure Geographer wasn't a side band that Pecknold quietly started. I was quite surprised to find that the Geographer is a fairly new up and coming band with one LP, Innocent Ghosts (2008), and one EP, Animal Shapes (2010). Geographer signed with a new record label in 2011 and plans to release a second LP this year titled Myth. 

While I feel like Deni has borrowed Pecknold's distinct vocal sound, I do like the slight change in music gene that Deni and the Geographer have developed. They have described their sound as being "soulful music from outer space" using analog, electronic and acoustic elements to craft dense layers and unique sound textures. Other songs of Geographer have a more acoustic sound, really similar to Fleet Foxes, but "Verona" is a good mix of the warm, soft vocals with heavy electronics that you hear more in chill-wave music.


I am interested to see if this young band creates something more revolutionary, than their previously released songs, on their new album. However, I feel this and other songs are worth listening to, especially if you are a diehard Fleet Foxes fan but don't mind hearing someone else other than Pechnold sing with a soft, echoey folk voice.

Geographer - Verona