Bellglide – Bellglide

But when further attention is paid to North Carolina’s Bellglide, we find that there’s more: A textured, luscious, melodic album bound tightly together by the talent of the group’s four members. Taylor Short’s guitar can fly from Radiohead to Pearl Jam, courting Kate Gregory’s voice like a tender lover. John Cates’ drums and Adam Roth’s bass march to every different beat, keeping the most unruly and furious of times.

Having already released a critically successful EP, the band takes this full-length album—produced by Mitch Easter (Pavement, R.E.M.)—as an opportunity to leave behind the hard-rock sound a bit, slow down the pace and add some melody. “Everyday” has a guitar solo that could be the electric twin of Rod Stewart’s “Gasoline Alley,” while Gregory’s vocals caress the song like a warmer Paula Cole. Softer, singer/songwriter colors run through most of the album.

“Natural Disaster” sounds emotional and radio-friendly without being drivel. The reflective “Finite” offers a hushed pause in the album, scented like Rachael Yamagata and bound to fit perfectly into an episode of Smallville. “Go Ahead” brings in the jam-band rhythms of Rusted Root to compliment the guitar reverb, and Gregory’s ever-changing voice moves from silky smoothness to passionate strength and back again, all in one breath. With her range and the band’s versatility, Bellglide has established itself as a group to keep an eye on.

To purchase Bellglide’s music, visit www.bellglide.com.