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The independent EP  from Gillis (out of Louisville Kentucky) is not so much a singular musical album as much as it is a mixed, mastered and well-produced demo showcasing a mix of folk rock and lo-fi alt-rock stylings.  The first track "At Your Heel" is a fantastic alternative rock number complemented by a beautiful electric guitar.  Gillis plays gentle, with only the most minimal gain, singing in a melancholy drone over top of it.  The production captures the "feel" of an intimate, large room -  it sounds like you're sitting in a quiet club listening to the guitar reverberate through the venue.  Track three, "New Year's Eve", continues in the same sonic vein, aided (and abetted) by a lone, effective synth line.  It's emotional and dynamic, the intensity rising as the drums progressively hit harder.  

The remaining tracks aren't bad, but fall into the "acoustic folk rock" category.  "Weapons" is the strongest of three ("My words are weapons / most of the time"); "Bring You Stones" is good but it reminds me forcibly of another band I can't place.  The closing track "Dance For You" is the most generic track on the album, sounding like an acoustic Theory Of A NickelFault b-side.  It's not terrible but it's the weakest track on the disc.  The honest and poetic lyrics on "Gravity" are personal and conversational, relating to relationships and emotional wounds without seeming cliche.     

Gillis' strengths as a storyteller, and the quality of the "electric" songs have me curious as to what he will record in the future.  "If It Wasn't For Gravity" is a piece-meal collection of songs, but I'd love to hear a full length album playing to the more experimental side displayed here.   Definitely check Gillis out on myspace.com/gillis.  

Ryan Ro / myspace.com/hollandrow