This album hits pretty hard. It’s not from my background. My repertoire is dream pop, post-punk, and the garage rock of the naughties. The posh rock, as some might call it. Music from the British underground (or not so underground). The artsy, self-aggrandizing protagonists who call dormitories their rehearsal studios, and universities their target demographic.
This isn’t that. This is f*** that. This is take that prep-boy haircut back to Manchester lest things get ugly type of rock that grows where the grass is greenest and the sun is always setting, far away from hierarchical cities, social acceptance, and culture. It’s the battle cry of the unadulterated garage rock that permeates America.
It reminds me of the mountains. Of fresh lakes and uncut forests. Of bonfires and nudist dance parties. And yes, of goat blood. It’s that psychedelic trip you don’t find in dormitories or study hall. Because you can’t. This can’t exist there. It’s verboten. It forbids itself. It rejects refined palettes and cheese platters. It’s Marlbolo and Bud. It’s flannel and Beevus. It’s have you ever dared to dream of fantasy? Of sword play and fair maiden wide?
It rocks. If anything, it’s overproduced. But you have to tip your hat to how cleanly it’s mastered by the guys who wrote it. And that’s not something that should be disregarded. This album has a je ne sais quoi that can only be present when a person, or group, is committed to one thing: Doing it right. And as they say, there’s only one way to do something right. It’s to do it yourself.
The thing about album’s like this, the thing that makes them great, is that it IS America. It’s uncompromising. It’s simple. It’s aggressive. It oozes the energy of what it was DESTINED to be, not what it’s SUPPOSED to be. This album is full of the individuality and expression that can only be willed into being by the originators and their personal experiences. It has the virtuosity of seasoned, practiced musicians who know what they are doing, and who were ALWAYS going to do it their way. Because for their vision, their brand, their experience, their way was the ONLY way that it was going to be done.
And it’s pretty bloody good. Did I say simple earlier? I meant straightforward. Meaning there are only three instruments. And no hidden agenda. These guys are here to rock, and if you’re not there to thrash, then just hold the beer.
The song-writing is actually more than moderately complex, with intricate changes, timely instrumentals, and more than a few blistering guitar bits that range from melodic riffs to absolutely shredder solos. And dare I say the effects are the bomb? Flanger for the win?
Honestly, I’m head over heels about this guitar. I’ve never been able to play like this. I never will. I don’t have this spirit. This commitment. The precision. The technical mindset for every chord to have a logical place that makes sense and works. I tend to like things more out-of-place. Some might even say unfinished.
But it’d be insane not to recognize the amount of thought put into this album. It’s commendable, and for many, many people, it’s the preferred approach to consuming art, especially music. Listening to this, it’s apparent to me that every note, every lyric, every effect, and every production technique employed had an intended purpose. It’s encompassing. It gives the work an identity because the artists crafted one. From their vision. Using their combined knowledge and ethics to produce one hell of an album worth rocking to.
It’s not for the faint of heart. But for those who boldly go, go. With wide wings, heavy hearts, and firm grips on your ax handles.
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About the Author
Music fan since circa 2017. Couple of degrees from The University of Virginia. Got a band too! But I’m not here to talk about that. I’m here to help you find your next favorite tracks and albums. Check out my articles if you need a quick pitch.
