The Square Life

This may be your introduction to CDG, but Cody Ryan, Jeff Sorenson, Hana Meek and Gavin Ryan have been playing together since 2005. Bridging the gap between Instrumental Rock and Post-metal, CDG pushes the senses by utilizing harmonic chord-progressions, articulate rhythms, and strong instrumental melodies.

The Payson, Utah outfit released their self-titled album on February 23 at Velour in Provo, and it is an epic gem of a debut. The opening track, “Ben in the Ocean,” is a soothing and appropriate introduction, but it’s track 2, “What We Found in the Riverbed,” that sets the tone for much of what follows: songs propelled by intertwining guitars, impeccable bass lines, and precise percussion. One can easily get lost in the transendetal mood shifts, but it’s the tonal subtleties and mature musical interplay that are most compelling in the long compositions created by these four friends. This experimental album shifts to the experimental-experimental on track three, the horn exclusive “A Moth.” The album then moves on like a tidal wave of emotions, having its peaks and valleys, yet maintaining depth throughout. “Olivia in the Ocean” the self-titled album’s triumphant closer, effectively ends the listener’s jaunt into the Utah county post-rock/post-metal underbelly.

With such a powerful debut record, Coup de Grace proves to be one of the most promising utah bands in the scene today. They have my undivided attention. I urge you all to give them yours.