Arone Dyer and Aron Sanchez make up the inventive duo from New York, Buke & Gase. After being discovered by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, they were signed to Brassland Records in 2007. Although relatively new to the music scene, Buke & Gase have already made their mark in an industry where standing out is becoming increasingly difficult. The name Buke & Gase comes from their handmade instruments: a “buke” is a small six-string baritone ukele, and a “gase” which is a guitar-bass hybrid.
After their first full-length album Riposte was released in 2010, it became clear that fans could expect amazing things from this up-and-coming indie band. Their newest album, General Dome, dropped on January 29th and is a 13-track display of musical prowess and unique production. It was self-mixed by the band and recorded in a large empty room that neighbors the Hudson River. The recording space provided for an organic sound quality that accentuates Buke & Gase’s grungy tone.
General Dome opens with one of the strongest songs on the album, “Houdini Crush,” which is a perfect introduction to the loud, driving “gase” riffs, and clear vocals from Aron Dyer that characterize the new album. The second song, “Hiccup,” was prereleased as General Dome’s first single, and is another one of the stronger songs. Each track contributes to the album’s post-grunge feel, and the angelic tone of Aron Dyer’s voice pleasantly contrasts the grit of the instrumentation. The whole album seems to resemble a powerful battle cry reminiscent of old school metal, grunge, and punk.
On “Twisting the Lasso of Truth,” Aron Dyer assists the battle cry when she seductively sings “Fight / God damn it stand up and fight.” The songs “Sturtle” and “You Do Yours First” are under 45 seconds long and punctuate the album, giving the listener two intermissions that take on a lighter tone than the rest of the tracks. Throughout General Dome, Buke & Gase showcase their musical ability through difficult vocal intervals and creative, powerful percussion. The final song on General Dome, “Metazoa,” is slightly more electronic and upbeat than the other tracks, perhaps giving the listener a small taste of future directions the band may take with their music.
General Dome is a piece of art that presents something entirely new. Buke & Gase have channeled different genres to create an album that is well-constructed and engaging. It’s clear that, although they are a newer band, Buke & Gase have already mastered their sound. Their new album is a must-listen for anyone who is looking for something different to add to their music library. General Dome is available now and Buke & Gase can be seen live at the Larimer Lounge in Denver on Febuary 11th.
