ALBUM REVIEW: Active Child: one-trick pony

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Active Child took the boring parts of R&B, drenches it in nostalgic 80’s synths, sprinkling modern post-dubstep beats and turned the whole time-warped concoction into his first LP.

“You Are All I See” is Los Angeles-based musician Pat Grossi’s debut album under the band name Active Child.

Deception is the name of the game in the first song “You Are All I See,” as ears are pleasantly greeted by a gallant, flourishing harp and epic, elongated horns, ushered by Grossi’s ethereal, layered vocals which sound like an electro-choir with a heavy emphasis on vibrato and synth.

The beautiful, grandiose sensation fades quickly as the second song “Playing House” begins and post-dubstep percussion enters to guide the groove under the lame layers of pop-synth and R&B-inspired vocals already starting to spoil. In one song, the album transforms from majestic and splendid into the ugly stepsister of Bon Iver’s vocals and Stepdad’s synths.

The album continues with little variation.

The radiant vibe from the harp introduced in the beginning makes an appearance halfway through the album in the song “Ivy,” a song also giving listeners a nice break from Grossi’s vocals. It also is the bridge leading to a heavier bass.

The beats featured in the songs following “Ivy” (“Way too Fast,” “Ancient Eye” and “Shield & Sword”) flirt with the sensual, post-dubstep percussion characterizing the king of post-dubstep himself, James Blake. However, Blake’s percussion is unquestionably superior, more mature and texturally rich.

Further, Active Child’s repetitive, droning, high-pitched vocals can’t be put on the same playing field as Blake’s deeper, sensual, soulful vocals which never drone, unlike the high pitched, melancholy vocals of Active Child.

Still, the heavier beats are welcomed as making the LP more interesting and add a heavier bass than what’s featured in previous tunes.

Active Child is completely capable of crafting great melodies that incorporate his gospel-like vocals. However, his creativity doesn’t last long enough for an entire album, making his music monotonous and boring and him a one-trick pony.

- Rating: 2.5 stars