Speak Easy/Maybel/WAKE
Speak Easy
Rainbow River // Independent
“Social-distancing” has made being in a band tricky these days, but I imagine it’s especially difficult for BC’s psych-rock quartet Speak Easy, whose jam-band chemistry explodes on their latest 10-track album Rainbow River; through studio monitors or simply an iPhone speaker, there is so much to explore and unpack while travelling down “Rainbow River”.
This concept album is best experienced as a whole, adventuring layer by layer deeper into the heart of what Speak Easy is trying to communicate; commentaries on phone usage and mastery, being caught up in old habits, and constant self-reflection pepper this coming-of-age story, all draped overtop the sounds of rushing water, implying some sort of forward motion at all times regardless of the rapids along the way. However, it’s also worth noting that despite being a concept album, each song in and of itself is a masterpiece of arrangement and production. Self-produced by the band’s guitar player Latham Reader and mixed by Loving’s David Parry, the perfectly panned layers of guitars, drums and additional percussion, dancing bass lines and B-52-esque talk-singing fill each track to the brim.
Arguably, track five is the album’s climax of mastery; good vibes don’t even begin to describe what’s going on here. The band layers gritty guitar with a dancing bass line, changing time signatures on multiple occasions throughout the song; the real gift comes around the 1:30 marker, where the band introduces the catchiest beat and lyric of the entire body of work—”who’s that boogying in the dark?” “Who me?” “Yeah, you” “Alright!”. Honestly, if you’re looking for the grooviest track to take away your quarantine blues, this is it.
Following right after, Speak Easy slows down the tempo with “The Ballad”, which carries some remnants of The Beatles’ “Dig A Pony”; however, they can’t keep quiet for too long, with this track descending into an epic, arena-worthy breakdown. Each song flows seamlessly to the other despite the ever-evolving tempo changes and sprinkles of other genres.
Speak Easy ends their journey down “Rainbow River” with their final bow of gorgeous Spanish-sounding guitar, and full three-part harmonies that we can really sink into.
Once our social-distancing is over and we can return to enjoying live shows, Speak Easy is at the top of my list, even if just to see how many guitar pedals this band employs.
- Lana Winterhalt
Maybel
Gathering // Vain Mina
You know when you hear an album that is so profound it just speaks to you. Gathering, by Maybel, does just that.
They come to us from Montreal. This folk country/bluegrass combo consists of Ali Hendra, Loris Kecaj, Lauren Spear, and Fez Gielen. Beautiful storytelling through songwriting. I heard the banjo, the lap steel guitar coupled with gorgeous vocals/harmonies and I was smitten.
The album takes flight immediately with “Bird Song” and comforts the crazy bird-lady in me. Banjo to my hearts delight and that let’s me take flight. This wonderful vibe carries through the whole album. It has its high and lows, its ebbs and flows, and it’s glorious!
From a dreamy Waltz to an Accapella to the uptempo “City Living” which explores the longing for life away from the city. Don’t get me wrong the city has its charms, but I like things a little quiet and a slower pace and I come to you from a small town in Alberta. I felt it was relatable. ”Two Left Feet” appeals to the dancer in me. Take me by the hand and take me for a spin. Whisk me away on the dance floor to this one please please.
Gathering is full of heart. Full of soul and introspection. It’s a reconnect. A reconnection to the past. Our roots run deep and we really should honour them. Maybe Maybel holds the key....well they do for me.
Take a listen and Enjoy Maybel’s new album Gathering! I truly hope you find it as soothing as I did! Happy Heartstrings!
Love Always,
Noreen
WAKE
Devouring Ruin // Translation Loss
Calgary’s WAKE have never been an easy band to put into any metal sub genre pigeon holes, and with the release of their most recent album, Devouring Ruin, that task has become nearly impossible. With the record coming in at just over 45 minutes, Wake nods to many forms of music, extreme metal and beyond! The incredibly emotional, and self reflective lyrics are complimented by hellish guitar tones, eerie interludes, and mind blowing blast beats and drum fills! Whether you want to have a casual listen and just enjoy the doomy groans and the sonic lovemaking of Death/Doom/Grind, or really dive in and let in all the emotions that this album conveys, your extreme metal needs will be more than satisfied! Now for the track by track review.
#1. Dissolve and Release: This is a perfect way to start the album, both conceptually and musically. I felt the lyrics covered leaving your old self behind, and trying to better yourself. The power of that sentiment is reflected through the entirety of the song.
#2. Kana Tevoro (Kania! Kania!): Track two comes firing right out of the gates with blistering blast beats, accompanied by calculated guitar work, soon followed by those sweet droney bellows. The spooky atmosphere this song creates will take you in and hold you the whole five minutes!
#3. This Abyssal Plain: This song is epic. The lyrics seem to touch on loneliness and the mental anguish that follows. Sonically the song does a great job at conveying that feeling. This has always been one of WAKE’s many strong suits in my opinion.
#4. Elegy: Ambient noise that sets a good tone for the album while you’re spinning it front to back, tracks like this aren’t always a hit for me, but I think it ties in to the album wonderfully.
#5. Mouth of Abolition: A fierce song that, like many others on this album, combines a few different styles. Doomy, blackened death, and a healthy dose of grind. Absolutely beautiful guitar work at the end!
#6. Paen: Another short sample of ambient noise to give atmosphere, and prepare the listener for the massive song soon approaching!
#7. Torchbearer: Usually long metal songs tend to drag on for me, and I rarely find myself holding on till the end (blame it on my A.D.D), but not this one. At 10:38 long, Torchbearer is all killer no filler, it’s an exciting, epic ride all the way through! Those death metal howls cut straight to the bone, accompanied by beautifully horrendous and depressing lyrics. This one is sure to give you goosebumps!
#8. In The Lair of Rat Kings: This one will tear your face right off if you aren’t careful! I love where they take the song in the last half, with that chuggy but melodic riff. And again I love the merciless lyrical content, this really hits the spot for all lovers of extreme music. This is my personal highlight of the album!
#9. Monuments to Impiety: The scorching pace of this song is one of many showcases of WAKE’s ability to blend death metal and grind so seamlessly. This Godless jam is a relentless!
#10. The Procession (Death March to Eternity): Wow. What a way to finish off the listening experience for this absolute gem of an album! Like Torchbearer, this is another long track (7:17), and it certainly does not over stay its welcome. It’s the perfect cherry on top for a beautifully evil album.
- Justin Olson
