The Gifted Children: The Portable Sun [EP]

The Gifted Children
The Portable Sun [EP]
Tinhorn Planet Music [2011]









Fire Note Says: Another solid recording in the very large catalog of The Gifted Children!

Album Review:
The Portable Sun was the third EP release of 2011 from one of our favorite Western New York bands The Gifted Children. Its eight tracks follow the standard GC style of getting in and getting out as they fall short of even hitting a two minute average. Of course, don't let the lack of time fool you for a lack of substance, as The Portable Sun represents some of The Gifted Children's best ideas yet. The EP itself was recorded using the built-in microphone on an iPhone and an app called Multitrack, which is of interest only because you could never tell given the tracks warm vibrant depth. This translates into a likable listen that offers smoldering song highlights like "Dark Heart" that creeps along with piano and vocal lines before exploding into a fuzz bass and saxophone assault. "The Short Sugar" has an upbeat pop swagger to it that is an instant favorite with its group singalong moments while the mostly acoustic 59 second "Lie Detectors" still is able to trigger an emotional chord. Once again, The Gifted Children prove their talent here on the extremely cohesive Portable Sun EP. The band already has a busy 2012 release schedule planned and their annual Christmas album has been available for free since December, so if you are looking for something new to discover - do yourself a favor and check out The Gifted Children!

Key Tracks: "Dark Heart", "The Short Sugar", "Lie Detectors"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Matt Pond PA
Destroyer
Graham Repulski

The Gifted Children: Building Your Lo-Fi Shelter [5-CD Box Set] [Fire Note Review 9/29/10]
The Gifted Children: My Museum Pieces [Fire Note Review 10/28/09]
The Gifted Children: Always Stay Sweet [Fire Note Review 10/10/08]
The Gifted Children: Whitespace Differences [Fire Note Review 4/11/08]

The Gifted Children Website
The Gifted Children Facebook
Tinhorn Planet Music

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony