Melbourne indie quintet Great ~ Falls have brought an interesting dynamic to their debut EP Negatives into Positives – released 22 March – that sets them apart from the rest. With fuzzy guitars and crisp vocals, their ambient sound transports listeners to 70s rock bars with a jazz lounge feel.
Featuring the singles “April’s Child” and “Custard Heart”, Negatives into Positives is a beautiful project with a shared energy from each of the five creative members – including a violinist. The songs were written during lockdown and recorded at A Secret Location Sound Recorders’ site in Fairfield with producer Paul Maybury.
At seven minutes long, the second track on the EP “Navy Strength” is a sonic journey which elegantly ebbs and flows. To shed some light on the idea, Great ~ Falls have each shared the best long songs that inspired the EP.
Lillian (vocals/guitar)
Bill Evans Trio – “Peace Piece”
Just about one of the most beautiful songs to exist. Two chords as the basis of the harmony. Unadorned, simple, meditative, mesmerising. I melt into a puddle every time.
Gillian Welch – “I Dream a Highway”
Stunning melancholy lyrics and some of the best subtle lead guitar playing going around courtesy of Dave Rawlings. Gillian Welch’s voice is heartbreaking and comforting at the same time. The vocal harmonies aren’t bad either!
Liam (guitar)
Wilco – “One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley’s Boyfriend)”
Subtly tells a story without explaining too much, it fits into the folk tradition of having many verses and no chorus. It builds slowly, adding layers of piano and xylophone as it goes before it closes with the same lyric that it started with.
Bright Eyes – “Let’s Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and to be Loved)”
A burst of energy with stream of consciousness lyrics. It sounds like a huge band playing together in a hall and Mike Mogis’ lead playing makes it.
Jack (bass)
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – “Head On/Pill”
The first Gizzard song I ever heard back in 2014. Basically sits on one chord the whole time and never gets boring. Full of fun nursery rhyme style melodies juxtaposed with raucous psych jamming.
The Smashing Pumpkins – “Silverfuck”
Filled with amazing drumming, great melodic guitar playing and vocals. Absolutely loud, fast and aggressive in the first half, with a contrasting middle section that is minimalistic, quiet and melancholy.
Danny (violin)
Adam Baldych & the Baltic Gang – “The Room of Imagination”
A patient, slow build paired with simple but intriguing melodies. It’s a refreshing sound that inspires and motivates me. The song combines jazz with Eastern European folk music so seamlessly with saxophone and violin. My favourite part is the coda section that is so full of energy and hope.
Zibigniew Seifert – “Love in the Garden”
This song is played by a true pioneer in improvised violin music, Seifert’s playing in this track shows me what’s possible and pushes my imagination every time. It’s versatile yet meaningful and purposeful.
Sam (drums)
The Mars Volta – “Day of the Baphomets”
Opening with a bass solo, closing with a bongo solo, this track never lets up. One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite bands.
Pretend – “Ivory”
As far as mathy, mostly instrumental, somewhat gloomy tracks go, Ivory slaps. Best listened along with the rest of the album (as long as you’ve already done your chores and walked the dog).
Negatives into Positives is available to stream everywhere. Follow Great ~ Falls on Facebook and Instagram for more.
