Geese are the experimental rock band from Brooklyn who’s fourth album, Getting Killed, released in the early fall is one of the acclaimed records of the year. Co-produced with Kenny Beats, songs like “Trinidad” have a chaotic jazz vibe mixed with slam poetry as singer Cameron Winter yells that “there’s a bomb in my car!” “100 Horses” takes on a gritty, southern rock sound with lyrics that does the trick of sounding like they mean nothing yet somehow mean everything in the moment – “there were 100 horses dancing/Maybe 124”.
Winter’s vocals take on a bit of a warble, bit of a Van Morrison feel. This occurs most prominently on the title track where he sings, “I can’t even hear myself talk/I’m trying to talk over everybody in the world”. Later, the vocals get stretched as he sings that “I’m getting killed by a pretty good life”. Whether a singer in an indie rock band or a midlevel office manager, this can feel true at times.
“Taxes” is a bit slower/softer then picks up with jangly guitars before the album ends with a longer jam on “Long Island City Here I Come”. Throughout Getting Killed, it all feels like it could fall apart at any time but it never does and more importantly, the album is constantly tuneful throughout. A really great record, one to spend some time with.
9/10
The Light Appears 