Baroness - Gold & Grey
1 - ARTWORK
John Baizley is not only the singer and rhythm guitarist for Baroness, but he is an artist. John has designed T-Shirts and painted album covers and posters for many artists, notably Metallica, Kvelertak, Pig Destroyer and Darkest Hour. It is with Baroness though that he invests the most in, particularly with the album artwork. I recommend checking out some YouTube videos on his process with this, there are also some interesting podcasts, particularly SWIM where John dives into some of the synchronicities that occur when he undertakes these journeys.
There is an amazing amount of detail in all his artwork; particularly on Gold & Grey where you can pick up new things every time you study it. The depth is remarkable.
2 - DISCOGRAPHY
Red Album (2007)
Blue Record (2009)
Yellow & Green (2012)
Purple (2015)
Gold & Grey (2019)
3 - GINA
A guitar wizard, Gina Gleason joined Baroness during the touring of Purple, so Gold & Grey marks her first writing credits for Baroness; and wow does Gina impress. Gina does not need to showcase her exquisite skills in a flashy way here, but the textures and layers and super wicked leads are out of this world, and they fit with John and the rhythm section perfectly. Gina’s backing and harmonised vocal work adds a lot here as well, not to every track, but I feel that Gina will become more confident as a singer, and it would not surprise me if she provides lead vocals at some point moving forward.
4 - PRODUCTION
Nah, get over yourself you whining children. The distortion on some tracks, or what some have described as a highly compressed sound is fine, and it gives it character that is unique to Baroness and not unlike some of the tones on Purple, which was lauded. A nice set of headphones will open up so many layers within the atmosphere, but also something as simple as the different guitar layers that occur, case in point I’d do Anything.
5 - CRAFT
This is a band that takes their craft seriously. This is an album experience that needs to be digested from start to back and multiple times. The level of detail from the artwork right through to the final moments of Pale Sun is truly breathtaking. Bands just do not care like Baroness do anymore, and it is great to see artists like this continuing to do great work.
6 - GOLD & GREY
Is my favourite Baroness release. It does take some time to digest, but once it is within your bones, it takes you places that Baroness have not taken you before. The added textures and depth provided by Gina have taken this band to a new level, and their songwriting has hit an exceptional level.
7 - LYRICS
The way Baroness use colour is very clever. It is obviously front and centre in their album names and covers, but within the musical shades as well. But John sings a lot about colour as well, right throughout their discography in fact. Gold & Grey is a darker affair, especially from John here. He has obviously been through quite a lot and some of his words really reflect some of the darkness within him.
Tenth track Emmett - Radiating Light opens with harmonies vocals from John and Gina, its is a gentle track that feels very fragile and melancholic yet packed with atmosphere. Piano comes in at the mid point that takes it to another level before John sings “there is blood upon my hands and knees, yet they don’t belong to me.” WOW! Quite disturbing.
8 - HIGHLIGHT
Tenth track I’d Do Anything is an acoustic centrepiece of sorts. It is a glorious track led by John baring himself. It really shows how far he has come as a vocalist and as a songwriter. There are some great layered and harmonised vocals going on here as well, Gina chiming in later on.
9 - WHERE TO FROM HERE
It would not surprise me if Baroness abandon the colour themed records and start a new chapter. However, it is impossible to predict the style they will go in. One thing is for sure, it will be packed full of artistic integrity.
10 - CLIP