Over their 10 year history Dance Gavin Dance have become renowned for their experimental and intricate post hardcore, but they haven’t gained a reputation for being the most stable unit. Across seven studio albums thirteen individuals have been credited as contributors, so you’d be forgiven for not unpacking your suitcase if you got the call. Contrary to how disruptive this seems on paper, the constant influx of fresh talent has helped Dance Gavin Dance remain fresh and interesting over the years and has helped them to become one of the most dynamic, interesting bands in the scene.
Tilian Pearson, who became clean vocalist number three in 2012, completed his second shift with recent release ‘Instant Gratification’, but unlike predecessors Jonny Craig and Kurt Travis who also managed two albums apiece, his future seems more stable. ‘Tree City Sessions’ allows Pearson the opportunity to sing fan favourites from the past 10 years, perhaps drawing a line under the past and allowing the band to move forward with this new, more consistent line-up. Replicating the iconic voices of Craig and Travis is not an easy task and while some of the former’s raw power is lacking in places, Pearson hits every note perfectly, solidifying himself as the ideal man to lead the band in the future.
The session was recorded live at Pus Cavern studios in Sacramento and the atmosphere of the setting projects brilliantly through the instrumentals. Will Swan’s iconic guitar riffs are raw and punchy, cutting through the mix more prominently than the studio albums. The rhythm section of Matt Mingus and Tim Feerick, a partnership that came into its own on ‘Instant Gratification’, is perfectly tight despite the chaotic arrangements and ever changing tempos. ‘Tree City Sessions’ also helps demonstrate the fantastic development of Jon Mess over the past decade. His screams on ‘And I Told Them I Invented Times New Roman’ and ‘Lemon Meringue Tie’ are unrecognisable from the days of ‘Downtown Battle Mountain’, his voice now carrying more depth, rawness and power than ever before.
At first the concept of this record seemed something only the purest fans would enjoy, but such is the quality of band’s performance and this current line-up that it becomes a valid celebration of everything Dance Gavin Dance has achieved to date. ‘Tree City Sessions’ could also be the new entry point for those who’ve never heard the band before, this collection of songs being a perfect sample of the band’s best material, making it equally viable for fans new and old. It’s refreshing to hear these songs in a more natural, raw sounding environment as this energy brings them to life and reminds us that there’s still a lot more chemistry for this band to explore as it moves into its second decade.
MARK JOHNSON