For all of the young, hot-shot bands that forgo real jobs while chasing the rock ‘n’ roll machine, there are several insanely talented musicians who work the 9-to-5 shift and still have time to create excellent music. Chris Grabau, program coordinator for Student Life here at Saint Louis University, is one of those several, and his new outfit Magnolia Summer has just released its first album, Levers and Pulleys, on Undertow Records.
Grabau wrote and sang on all of the tracks, though the music is a true collaboration among several of St. Louis’ finest musicians. Mark Ray, whose band Waterloo counts Grabau as a member, plays keyboard and guitar on the majority of the tracks and is responsible for much of the sonic invention on the record. Levers and Pulleys also boasts the fine guitar work of John Horton, the sweet harmony vocals of Heather Moll and the instrumental and vocal prowess of Nadine masterminds Steve Rauner and Adam Reichmann.
Even with an all-star cast like this, Grabau’s gentle voice and straight-to-the-heart lyrics take center stage. The music can be reminiscent of a more gentle alt-country, though there is never any forced twang or phony colloquialisms. “Summer Moon” dabbles in Neil Young territory, and Jeremy Brown’s violin makes the tune lilt and rise in the breeze. Other times the mood is almost trippy, like the textured “Canary,” which is based around a drum loop and a reverberating Wurlitzer electric piano. The mood is subtle and evocative throughout Levers and Pulleys, but the sound and style is never complacent or repetitive.
To say that this record “rocks” would be an overstatement; the tempo never really gets above to occasional head-nod. Still, Grabau is able to be earnest and emotive, enough so as to engage the listener. When the music and the mood gets going, as on “Unlock the Door,” Magnolia Summer is capable of turning out a real barn-burner. It may be too early to call, but it looks like Levers and Pulleys will be one of the great local releases of the year.
On Friday, May 16, Magnolia Summer will play alongside other St. Louis heavies Nadine, Tinhorn and Grandpa’s Ghost at the Pageant. The show is free for those over 21.
