The newest self-titled release from the giveaway features four original songs that exhibit not only the quintet's instrumental talent, but its creativity as well.
I suppose the album is borderline emo, but thankfully singer Travis Shaver doesn't whine, which makes it all the more bearable.
"Undeveloped" is the album's first track and is reminiscent of music by the group's collective favorite artist, Duncan Sheik. The music is mellow, but has substance at the same time. It's calm, but doesn't put you to sleep. It reminds me of the kind of music you'd want to listen to on a lazy day - when you're in love.
The giveaway is made up of MSU students Josh Hoisington, Paul Krauss, Mark Colwell and Mark Barry, and former MSU student Travis Shaver.
Drummer Mark Barry adds the needed steady rhythm to the group. Barry is a jazz studies junior and it shows. Paul Krauss' skills on the keys ensure the songs are filled with handsome harmonies.
"We just strive to keep things interesting," Krauss said. "A lot of things have already been said, so we try to say things in our own way."
The second track on the album, "Your Decision" is catchy enough that it's earned radio play on WDBM (88.9 FM).
The band says it tries to make every song different, while making each one the best it could be. The group has performed in Kalamazoo and East Lansing and is looking to merge into the Chicago and Detroit scene. But, Shaver said the group's unique sound sometimes makes it difficult to get gigs in the East Lansing area.
"We're hook-based completely - it's over the top," Shaver said. "There's no one that really sounds like us in the area. It's a really hard scene to conquer."
And while the local scene might not be the most warm and welcoming, the giveaway already has larger venues lined up. The group will headline at the Union Ballroom on Feb. 20 with The Farewell Drive.
"You don't go anywhere in East Lansing unless you have a band that's established to take you under their wing," Hoisington said, adding that local group Ettison Clio has "adopted" the group.
"Bleed" has great lyrical content and showcases Shaver's powerful, relaxed vocal talent. Most of the band's lyrics are drawn from Krauss' prose.
"We don't just spit out anything; we merge sounds together," he said.
The album's final track, "Clouds Collide," is my personal favorite because of its steady and chilled-out drumbeat as well as Colwell's fantastic guitar work, which he says is influenced heavily by Eric Clapton and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The level of guitar distortion used in the chorus fits perfectly with the thoughtful mood presented by Shaver's vocals.
While there's room for improvement, the giveaway has proven itself talented, worthy of attention and full of potential. After all, the group's current lineup has only been together since August.
The first official CD release party for the current lineup's self-titled debut is Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Action Discount store, 112 N. Larch St. in Lansing. Local group The Spill Canvas will open.
If you liked this, you might also like: Duncan Sheik, Coldplay
Suggested listening: While running through a field of flowers with your girlfriend.
