Artist: Gist
Album: Diesel City
Label: Red Stapler Records
Tracks: 12
Review By: Jacob “Wazzzzzup??” Gehman

“A hard time” would be how I’d describe my experience in trying to decide whether I like this album or not. So many things about this album annoy me, yet there is a weird draw to it at the same time. Indeed, most aspects of the album are a study in contradiction. Yes and no, palm and heel, ash tray and chapel.

The easy part is describing how the band sounds. Angular rock with strong, emotional (yet still very manly) vocals. Good song composition really helps out along the way. Everyone is between good and excellent on their respective instruments. On the track “On The Road” they even throw in an unexpected jam, which sticks around without overstaying it’s welcome.

The big distraction is the vocals. They are, at first, a good driving force for the album. But before too long they seem to get redundant and make the whole thing drag on like one big, long song. While it’s not a one trick pony, the effect on the album is the same. At the same time, and almost contradictorily, the vocals are quite catchy, usually when they are layered upon one another.

So it’s kind of like chocolate covered almonds when the chocolate isn’t that great, but the simple fact that they’re covering the greatest nut in the world still makes them edible. If you like contradictions, check this album out.