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Album review of ‘On Safari’ from Giant Lion

    Giant Lion’s newest CD is a freewheeling rocket of folk/country tunes that’ll get the snake right out of your boot. If you’re into the feeling of plains, hay-tossin’ and rebellious Johnny Cash-rock, then this album is right up your alley. It’s a departure from the norm, but manages to somehow stay above the fold, giving them the creative space to develop their own style. I can’t quite figure out where the inspiration is coming from, but it rocks throughout the night and into the new hours of the morning.
    This release is 10 tracks, 32 minutes long, but the album flows well from one track to the next. Each song is like a step in a journey through time. The way that they manage to string everything together is almost unreal, but quite amazing. Giant Lion is definitely going places with this CD and I highly encourage anyone to check it out. It stands alone in the field, high and proud, as it should. The CD managed to go places that I have seldom heard successfully managed especially in Atlanta. The style is reminiscent of the simple folk tendencies of the Mountain Goats. I think it’s safe to say that Giant Lion is one of my current favorite bands of Atlanta.
    I like the sad songs the most. They sing of real things, like coyotes and wolves at your heel, and women leaving you for the dust. They have two main singers, both incredible and quite different from each other. It is mostly acoustic guitar and singing, with violin-ing in the background. There is not much to say about this album, except that it’s a good DIY record with a ton of heart, and definitely worth going out to get. You’ll have to listen for yourself to get a better understanding of the music. Sit down, put it on and have a glass of rum and coke. That’s my kind of night! This is the kind of band you’d want to go to the beach with and party. I hope to see more of Giant Lion in the future. Check ‘em out out at http://www.myspace.com/giantlionmusic and at their official site, http://www.giantlionmusic.com . The new CD will be available soon, so hang on to your trousers!