The Organ – Grab That Gun
Label: Mint Records
Style: New-Wave, Pop, Electro, Revival Pop
Released: 2005
My Grade: 4 stars
AMG: 4
Sounds like: Interpol, Blondie, The Strokes

Unfortunately, a trip to Paris does not provide a die-hard music fan with much ammo for discovering new music, as the city appears ensconced in the tumultuous need to embark on spending-sprees for Diesel jeans and aviator sunglasses. When in Paris in vacation last week (and while partaking in such frivolous purchases; I know I’m awful), I did manage to uncover a band worth listening to while spending time in one of many Parisian Virgin Megastores. Meet The Organ, a poppy-new wavish group of 20-somethings that bring you back to the time of acid-wash jeans, material girls, and white weddings.

Yes, it’s true that the 80’s is the new hip era to emulate (ie: layering clothing a la Madonna, Interpol disturbingly resembling Joy Division, etc.) This Vancouver-born all-girl quintet is true to the name of their band; as an poignantly played organ is present in their music, an aspect that solidifies their hipster-appeal.

Tortured John Cusack type souls who prefer lifting boom-boxes into the air to presenting their love with flowers might be seen enjoying the somber sighs of lead singer Kelly Sketch, who in The Organ’s debut album Grab That Gun, reflects the determination of 80’s icons, Pat Benetar and Debbie Harry. However, as presented in such melancholy ballads as “Love, Love, Love”, Sketch prominently believes in the possibility of newfound love after heartbreak.

A special quality The Organ brings to Grab That Gun is the ease at which the listener is pulled in; song…after song…after song. A strong case of music ADD usually prevents me from ever listening to an album all the way through unless it’s exceptionally good, or happens to lasso my emotions felt at the moment. Although each song has a similar beat, they’re just nuanced enough so that the album does not appear to sound like one continuous track. The album is chock full o’ catchy hooks which also help to assuage the lack of idiosyncrasy. The opening track “Brother” is solid, pouring in peroxide to turn The Organ into Blondie, thus introducing Grab That Gun to the unwavering feminist in all of us.

For those cold lonely nights which are suited for reflection and a little good old-fashioned yearning, The Organ’s Grab That Gun helps mend a broken heart, or begin growing the layers for an even bigger one.


Reviewed by: Rachel