Gold Leaves: The Ornament

Gold Leaves
The Ornament
Hardly Art Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Gold Leaves is a simple straightforward indie-folk record that will keep you thinking.

Album Review:
Gold Leaves is the creation of Grant Olsen, which is one half of the Seattle indie folk outfit Arthur & Yu. His collection of tracks were four years in the making, as the record reflects on many of his personal happenings that include everything from birth to death. It is a mellow thought stirring type of listen that takes a multitude of spins to get into but Olsen's warm vocals make it easy. His voice sounds just like Ian McCulloch of Echo & Bunnymen fame, which for me was a positive as Olsen comes off completely sincere and honest throughout the records 9 songs. Gold Leaves also features some solid musical help as The Ornament has Jason Quever of Papercuts serving as co-producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist, while percussionist Ben McConnell (Beach House, Brightback Morning Light) provides the perfect backdrop. Vocally, Thao Ngyuen (Thao And The Get Down Stay Down, Thao & Mirah), Amy Blaschke, and members of The Moondoggies all contributed backing vocals that help create the full band vibe even though Gold Leaves is clearly an Olsen vehicle. The Ornament represents a great effort from Grant Olsen as his Gold Leaves moniker provides many headphone moments and is a real grower. Hopefully we see more from this project, as The Ornament only scratches the surface of Olsen's talents and lets hope that next time it is way sooner than the 4 years we waited here.

Key Tracks: "Cruel/Kind", "The Ornament", "Futures"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Bon Iver
Ian McCulloch
M. Ward

Gold Leaves Facebook
Hardly Art Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony