Album Review: The Gift

Vox Capacitor is based in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, and is the very definition of a solo artist with a group name. At its heart is the drive of multi-instrumentalist Steve McBride, who handles all of the writing, playing, and production. The work has been continuing since 2023, and The Gift is the second full album.

From the first listen, what becomes very clear is the high level of sheer craft. Vox Capacitor’s sound takes an indie-guitar-pop-with-bass-and-drums framework, and conducts a detailed and thorough exploration of that particular territory. The rhythm section playing is solid, supportive and with more than enough character to avoid the generic, while the guitar work is a veritable grab-bag/textbook of tasteful tones and playing. It is worth emphasising this last point- there are touchstones here for guitar-based sounds of bands right back to the invention of electricity. With the confidence and experience of the approach to production, the sounds and playing remain suitably reverential without becoming tediously retro.

Added to that is a veritable sucker punch of really assured and mature songwriting. From the nifty structural element of beginning and ending the collection with two versions of the title track, this album uses harmonic sophistication, dynamic variation, and a whole range of musical elements to maximal effect. Using One in Five as an example, this song takes just a hint of The Church-style melancholy, and adds a wonderfully expansive, even cinematic, arrangement to marvellous effect. It would be a standout track in any album, but here it’s only track two.

Bands who take a ‘big guitar’ approach often miss the boat when attempting the faster tempos, but not this one. The Only Way opens with some precision riffs working in an almost contrapuntal fashion, which is finely balanced with the requisite big open chorus. While all of these songs feel ‘live’, this is one that would really deliver on stage.

This review is running the risk of becoming overly effusive, but this album is something of a rich feast. At its heart Vox Capacitor retains an indie guitar approach for sure, and in that respect The Gift plays by the rules but there is just so much to hear in this album. Big choruses are everywhere, (try and find a better one – anywhere – than the one in Clarity). So much clever stuff happens- listen to No Returns for the touch of theremin at the end. It adds a wry humour that only adds to the overall charm of the piece.

And then listen to the lyrics and melodic approach because the same level of craft, care and attention has been applied there as well. McBride can really turn a phrase, and then shape it into an effective melody. Consider how a line like ‘residential status, achievable hiatus’ reads on the page and then listen as it jumps out from Fair Wind. It’s a delight, and The Gift is full of these moments – often sung in relatively low register which adds a certain vulnerability to the delivery as well.

Vox Capacitor’s self-description of ‘Jangly Dad Rock’ does them no credit and deserves to be challenged. This is music that is far too expansive and well-crafted to be put in such a needlessly limiting box. The Gift is a collection of sophisticated guitar-based music conceived and delivered with a steady and sure hand at the helm. It is most deserving of multiple listenings and will reward each one.