My first reaction to this the first album by Joel R.L. Phelps and The Downer trio for nearly ten years is that it mimics the album cover of a plug socket on a wall of dirty beige wallpaper as being about as interesting as sitting and watching SAID wallpaper get dirty.
Having never heard any of the bands previous albums I don't share the sense of anticipation long term fans may have and reading the press release (which informs me that Joel has just recovered from some major addictions) only makeS it seem to me like the album is him staring at that wall while going through cold turkey and dreaming it's something other than a plain Beige wall.
As for its sound, for the most part it seems like he is trying for that Neil Young guitar sound where it is like he is jamming himself into a corner of repetitive, slightly grungy sound with some wimpy vocals over the top. No matter how many times I've now heard this album, none of the lyrics made any impression on me as a listener, no matter how much pain he may be exorcising it just left me cold.
So You've decided is just a slow acoustic misery fest that has nothing to make it stand out; it's more of a wallflower of a tune. Hold Fast has some great guitar bits that subside every time the vocals come back in like he's having trouble playing guitar and singing at the same time so that he ends up losing me.
|
The album's title track is only notable for its cool piano parts, but otherwise it's more wallpaper.
Exiting The Garden is about the best tune on the album, at least musically, as I really like the guitar sound on it before the "Father, Father" lyrics kick in and he seeks redemption.
I could happily live without either of the bonus tracks but if you liked the previous Downer Trio albums you will probably like them too. If, however, you had never previously come across them, I doubt this generic fare will turn you into a fan.
|
