The Narrows have been a band for nearly nine years and yet this is my first exposure to them. And its not like they haven't been trying; the three-piece outfit from Bellingham, WA have released an EP or LP for nearly every year they've been a band.
Benjamin is the band's fifth full-length and clocks in at just under fifty minutes, even though it only contains four songs. Musically, the band draws influence from an interesting range of artists. Their sound is the sonic clashing of The Melvins, Neurosis, and Low, which for a more modern comparison falls somewhat close to what Pelican is doing, but with soft-spoken vocals added to the formula. "The Sasquatch" opens the album with nearly nine minutes of sludgy metal and grunge dirge. "Last of the Norseman" is much more subdued and slows the pace. "Quellish" is a return to form of the opening number, while "Over and Out" fluctuates back and forth between slower and more aggressive sequences.
These guys have good chemistry as a band; and have a good sense of songwriting. Some of the songs do drag on a tad - "The Last of the Norseman" - but Benjamin definitely peaked my interest to investigate their back catalog.
