Bell Gardens
Slow Dawns for Lost Conclusions
Rocket Girl
Street: 10.27
Bell Gardens = M. Ward + Iron and Wine

With lead singer Kenneth James Gibson comes a voice that sings deep at the bass level, creating a rocking sensation for a sweet little babe about to fall asleep. Starting the album with “Darker Side of Sunshine” brought me to a level of reverence and sincerity, and following it with “Silent Prayer” only sealed that sensation, making this a humbling listen. To add to that, “Avere,” an interlude before the final song, evokes a spacious setting with echoing violin sounds. While I’m tempted to file this under “another Americana folk band,” Bell Gardens add some really interesting textural layers that make it dreamy and ambient, which lends a refreshing spin to the genre. –Brinley Froelich