Altered Zones

In case you didn't get the memo before in Luke Carrell's writeup of GDC's "Haut Contre Bas" a couple weeks back: don't let those seductive French words fool you. GDC is a red-blooded synth-lovin' American going by the name of Zach Phillips. Hailing from Vermont-- or Green Mountain in Français-- Phillips makes some really enchanting bedroom pop, and thankfully steers clear of getting cute or whimsical. Jours Avec Jennie doesn't aim to whisk you away to a French, Amélie-esque parallel universe. Jours feels more like one of your weirdo prog-obsessed friends playing a show in your living room, his temporary baroque phase in full swing (we all go through it). Never repeating the catchiest hook exactly the same, it's clear that Phillips has a restless mind that seeks solace in variation. "Leur Heure" is hard to follow-- it's difficult to grasp the rushed words, awkward pauses, and ever-changing melody-- but the twists and turns are well worth it. Formidable! --Ric Leichtung, Altered Zones

MP3: GDC: "Leur Heure"

Jours Avec Jennie is limited to 100 cassettes, get your copy from Alchemist Records

--Previously

MP3: GDC: "Haut Contre Bas"

GDC is francophone synth pop made right here in these United States by Zach Philips, who you may also recognize as one of the cyber ghosts who plays in Blanche Blanche Blanche. Deceptively complex, bursting with bright keyboard stabs, and lilting vocals, “Haute Contre Bas” might feel loungey if it weren’t so sincere. As the instruments continuously disperse and recollect themselves into different configurations, it becomes clear that the lo to mid-fi recording method and straightforward performance are most responsible for the track’s precocious charms than French pop or yé-yé. Sorry, yé-yé. Maybe next time. --Luke Carrell, International Tapes

MP3: GDC: "Haut Contre Bas"

Alchemist Records' issued just 100 cassettes of Jours Avec Jennie, grab your copy before it's too late