This August batch of album reviews covers an eclectic mix of genres, including releases from Jeremy Ensley, Bill Ellingboe, KidsonFire and The Preservers, with audio samples to boot.
Dynamic, Lugubrious Beauty: Watching for Foxes’ new studio release is “Undone Bird.” (Photo/Anna Sink)
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Holloway
“The Feeble Hearts of Men”
Right out of the box, Holloway boldly announces its return to Grand Rapids’ prog-metal scene. “A Nameless Fear” sets the stage for this impressive, dark-yet-energizing collection of intricately crafted gems performed by Ross Morgan, John Morgan, Kevin Schaner and Shawn Julien. After a five-year break, it seems this band which draws inspiration from the likes of Tool, Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater is more inspired than ever, transporting listeners through dynamic interludes of melodic metal and prog-rock – at once edgy, elegant, robust and bewitching. – John Sinkevics
Website: hollwayband.com
Listen/Watch: “Bride of Corinth”
Melophobix
“Melophobix”
Radiating raw energy and boasting a groovy seven-piece ensemble, Melophobix’s first EP is a bold dive into its own brand of reggae-rock and funk. The opening track, “Victorious,” takes a serious tone, touching on the current political climate and pleading for peace, with vocals that at one point border on rap. The smooth horns prove to be one of the band’s most distinctive elements, humbly helping the opening track transition before highlighting the more easy-going (and explicit) “Tortuga” with an ominous solo. The Grand Rapids band – featuring Stefan Paul, Zack Volkers, Matt McElliott, Matt Perlman, Adam Parada, Nate Hansen and Geoff Hansen – manages to find a healthy balance of sound with its wide array of instrumentation: thick, but not over blended and something that’s easy to accomplish with so many instruments. – Adrianna Walker
Website: facebook.com/Melophobix/
Upcoming Shows: 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Pyramid (dual CD-release party with The Legal Immigrants); 2 p.m. Saturday at Walk the Beat in Grand Haven; Sept. 17 at Harmony Hall in Grand Rapids
Listen: “Victorious”
Watching for Foxes
“Undone Bird”
Few bands can replicate the lugubrious beauty of folk-rock’s Watching for Foxes. The mournful -yet-somehow-sanguine tracks constructed by frontman Joey Frendo and his Grand Rapids ensemble build to dynamic, emotion-infused crescendos marked by moody sound effects, gorgeous harmonies and rich, diverse instrumentation. As a result, there’s almost a cinematic quality to significant portions of “Undone Bird,” with the single-worthy, catchy crowd favorite “Two Lovers” balanced against epic-sounding gems such as “The Watchmen” and “The Hunt/The Kill.” – John Sinkevics
Websites: watchingforfoxes.com, facebook.com/watchingforfoxes/
Upcoming Shows: 1 p.m. Saturday for Walk the Beat in Grand Haven (Eastpointe RV Resort)
Listen: “The Hunt/The Kill”
Sligh
“Sligh Boulevard”
Sligh’s “Sligh Boulevard” immediately takes us into a familiar place in music, where the nostalgia of early ’90s hip hop tries to find its place in the world of contemporary hip hop. The first track, “Gun Rue City,” gives us similar vibes to Tupac’s “California Love,” embodying funk via a pronounced autotune, and synthesizer, with a woman soulfully singing, “won’t you come to my city.” On this first track, Sligh welcomes us into his perception of what Grand Rapids means to him. The next song, “Sligh Boulevard,” exhibits his Cali flow: a bouncy, energetic stream in lyricism. “Still Maintain” is one that carries us further into Sligh’s world, with a hook that sings to the beauty of the struggle, “Do what you gotta do, I see what you going through.” – Deshia Dunn
Website: reverbnation.com/sligh4
Upcoming Shows: 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at Revolve Records, 1606 Fuller Ave. SE, Grand Rapids (with 40 Loccsta, YS, Teddyree, J SNELL and Samuel Reed 1:11.
Listen: “Sligh Boulevard”
The Change
“Fight or Flight”
As a songwriter, Ryan Williams isn’t afraid to tackle social issues or his own personal struggles. Hence, The Change is appropriately named – a band informed by the blues, rock and rootsy folk which is committed to making a difference amid global turmoil. As frontman Williams points out in the liner notes: “Be better, be stronger, be active and affect change.” For those that might question Williams’ uber-confessional and direct approach, there’s no denying the passion and sincerity with which this singer and multi-instrumentalist attacks his soulfully fetching music – ably accompanied by bandmates Tony LaJoye, Jamie Kissane and Dakota Culbertson – from the Bob Seger-tinged rock of “Strung Up,” to the striking piano-and violin-propelled beauty of “Sunrise.” – John Sinkevics
Website: musicfromthechange.com
Upcoming Shows: Noon Aug. 25 at The B.O.B. in Grand Rapids (for GR Live); Sept. 2 at the Labor Day Weekend Pond Jam in Rapid City; Sept. 7 at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids
Listen: Local Spins on WYCE with The Change
Jeremy Ensley
“2016 Q1 Report”
“2016 Q2 Report”
As an overarching namesake, Jeremy Ensley’s “2016 Q1 Report” could arguably fit within the confines of the EDM genre, but only as a way to give the unsuspecting listener the slightest taste of what they are in for. Compositions from artists like Tycho, Gold Panda and Sigur Ros are good reference points. The album opens with “universal solvent,” pulling you into a strictly sonorous world: no lyrics, just a dreamy score that sounds like a trip underneath the stars. The next track, “ILY,” picks up some speed with its percussion and dives into a more intentional craft, where somehow the gradual layers of peculiar sounds from a dial tone, to a woman’s soothing hum, to a gentle synth, are all weaved together to create a quite beautiful song. Overall, the album has a sound quality that could be described as far removed from reality, providing listeners with a surreal experience; a unique take on music within the Grand Rapids community. His follow-up, ‘Q2 Report,’ continues that experience, full of both soothing and rousing electronic beats, perfect for both detached and focused listening. The songs take their time building beautifully, represented best in “Another Time.” Each song’s energy flows seamlessly from one to the next as if telling a story. Even though the album is only six songs long, there’s a lot to listen to. New sounds make themselves evident with every additional listen. – Deshia Dunn and Hunter Gamble
Website: facebook.com/jeremyensleymusic
Listen: “Universal Solvent”
Bill Ellingboe
“Cold Water Part 1”
With “Cold Water Part 1,” Grand Haven’s Bill Ellingboe shows us a side of music meant for pure enjoyment. Tracks such as “Ghost Writer” and “Beginning to Think” are quick to show us his lighthearted melodies, coupled with playful guitar riffs and unapologetically carefree voice. Even though songs like “Lake Michigan” and “Gina” dip into a slower rhythm, they are still tunes you cannot help but make you swoon through their steady percussion and sentiment-filled vocals. Ellingboe does the listener a favor by not holding back any emotions when he sings to you. – Deshia Dunn
Website: billellingboe.com
Upcoming Shows: 2 p.m. Saturday at Walk the Beat in Grand Rapids, 7 p.m. Saturday at Blue Water Grill in Grand Rapids, 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at Theatre Bar in Grand Haven, 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at Grand Armory Brewing in Grand Haven.
Listen: “Beginning to Think”
KidsonFire
“KidsonFire”
KidsonFire don’t care what you think. The opening title track of the Grand Rapids-based band’s debut album instantly alludes to that youthful, get-out-of-my-face theme found in the hard rocking band’s name. The punk-inspired vocals by Karina delivered with blazing electric guitar solos are the ultimate layer that completes this rock ‘n’ roll ensemble. – Adrianna Walker
Website: https://soundcloud.com/kidsonfireofficial
Upcoming Show: Sept. 17 at Diesel Concert Lounge in Chesterfield
Listen: “Coup D’etat” (single)
The Preservers
”The Preservers”
This fresh-faced group of teenagers from Lowell has put together a hearty debut album full of original lengthy rock ballads, with the longest, “Uprising of a Future Tale,” clocking in at 8 minutes and 47 seconds. The young band – Ryne Clarke, Jeremy Karol, Patrick Karol and Corrina Wenger – also boasts refreshing, almost poetic, not to mention incredibly mature lyrics. The album was recorded at Impact Church and Clear Sky Studios in Lowell, with mixing and mastering by John Wenger. – Adrianna Walker
Website: http://preserversband.com/
Upcoming Show: Aug. 27 at Saranac Bridgefest
Listen: “Fade”
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
