Active Child When Your Love Is Safe

Active Child is the creation of Pat Grossi, a L.A.-based songwriter whose Curtis Lane EP received a lot of buzz upon its release in the spring of 2010. In fact, it received so much positive attention that it was frequently considered one of the better EPs of 2010, an ethereal and almost raw spacey-pop offering from someone who may have a lot to offer indie pop music in the coming years.

Every time I listen to Grossi's falsetto over his layered keyboard/electronic sample approach, I pick up something different that adds to the complexity and depth of the work. Every song on the six-track EP takes you to a different place; I've heard tracks that can be described as haunting, raw, epic, and perhaps even poignant. There is a definite and tangible confidence in Grossi's work, a quality that I do not often hear in music that can be outwardly described as indie pop.

The electronic samples that define Curtis Lane blend nicely with a solid foundation of the chorale music that influenced Grossi as a child (harp arrangements that can be described as "exciting," which we can safely assume is a rare adjective in this case). Ultimately, he has created something that I would describe as post-modern chamber pop.

EP standout "Take Shelter" is also heavily influenced by a brand of post-modern Britpop, and is driven home by powerful and otherworldly vocals. "When Your Love is Safe" also stands out with a tone changing mix of electronic beats and vocal distortion.

Active Child's organic and multi-textured approach on Curtis Lane has left me with my favorite EP of 2010 and excitement for future offerings from Pat Grossi and his post-modern take on a new brand of pop music.