Inlets is primarily the work of My Brighest Diamond member Sebastian Krueger, a multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who also fronts Atiquis. The guy who first turned me on to Inlets' Vestibule EP described the music as "Sufjan meets Grizzly Bear" so naturally I was intrigued (and slightly skeptical). Here's the first song I heard:
[MP3] Inlets - Pictures Of Trees
The likeness to Sufjan is certainly audible within the first few seconds of the song, but don't think of this as a knock-off. "Pictures Of Trees" demonstrates a unique type of beauty that needs to be absorbed (much like GB's Yellow House) as opposed to many of Sufjan's songs that are damn near impossible not to love from the first spin of the record. The vocal harmonies are vastly layered, and even come across as almost psalmic as if sung by a church choir. They might, just might, even give you chills...
You can download the entire Vestibule EP for free over at Luv Sound.
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5 comments:
I really, really tried to give this guy the benefit of the doubt, but I have to say he sounds EXACTLY like a Sufjan ripoff, from the instrumentation to his singing style. Heck, even his photo looks a little like Sufjan...maybe his slightly "slower" brother.
As Sufjan's slower brother, I must disagree. While I definitely see a nod to the stylings of Sufjan in the Inlets tracks, I have to say that "this guy", also known as Sebastian Krueger, is on to something here. By weaving together lyrics, melodies and harmonies with this refreshing instrumentation, Krueger creates a unique atmosphere for his songs that hovers and hangs simultaneously.
My advice: Don't try so hard. Just listen.
I really enjoy Inlets and see vast differences from Sufjan to Inlets. The comparison is akin to: M. Ward and David Pajo
If you listen to "See Her, Seer" you'd swear you were listening to Final Fantasy. That voice! I do like Sebastian Krueger; just because he plays the banjo and has layered chanting vocals on that Trees song doesn't mean he shouldn't be credited for being talented. His style is more diverse than Sufjan's, anyway.
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