One would be hard pressed to find a description of Gamble House that does not contain at least a passing reference to Grizzly Bear. The comparison is after all an easy one: both bands construct ever-shifting, multi-layered, whispery-voiced baroque-pop. We are dealing here with music of subtlety and nuance. But subtlety only goes so far on its own; undertaken by a careless hand, the result is often merely tedious. Fortunately, Gamble House has placed itself at the center of a musical constellation that includes not only the production-oriented Grizzly Bear but also the more melodically-driven Beach House and (the inescapable) Brian Wilson. Lush instrumentation? Gamble House has got you covered. Affecting and memorable hooks? In spades. Indeed, Gamble House has emerged so fully formed, so polished and pristine in both conception and execution—and, despite its many and readily apparent influences, so thoroughly unique—that it is tempting to forget that this is a debut album! Gamble House’s distinctive sound derives not from any single component, any one of which (from instrumentation to production style to vocal timbre) unabashedly bears the marks of its predecessor(s), but rather in the perfect synthesis into which Gamble House brings its diverse influences. The genius and gift of Gamble House’s creative center, Ben Becker, is his ability to distill the finest aspects of his favorite music and to draw them into a harmonious whole.