As fall settles in, Local Spins turns its attention to new Michigan releases. Check out reviews of six recordings, including The Brothers Crunch and Quilter, and listen to tracks from each release.
Bold Step Forward: The Crane Wives on stage at their Grand Rapids album-release show in September. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
After a wildly hectic summer of outdoor shows and inspiring music festivals, it’s time for Local Spins to turn its attention back to new releases by Michigan artists.
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Today, Local Spins writers Sean Miller, Holly Holtzclaw, Virginia Anzengruber and John Sinkevics review the latest albums from popular West Michigan and northern Michigan bands and solo artists, with more to come as fall commences in earnest. Also, bend an ear to tracks from all of the releases.
Revisit previous 2024 album reviews here.
The Crane Wives
“Beyond Beyond Beyond”
What Stands Out: The transformation of The Crane Wives from an effervescent, acoustic-based folk-driven outfit that burst onto the scene 14 years ago to an indie-alt-rock, electric guitar-propelled band is complete with release of “Beyond Beyond Beyond.” Not that Kate Pillsbury, Emilee Petersmark, Dan Rickabus and Ben Zito have completely abandoned their folk roots, but rather shifted their harmony-laden approach to an edgier, darker, grittier and more experimental version of themselves in this latest project recorded at Zito’s Centennial Sound in Grand Rapids. Will most fans who’ve lovingly embraced this West Michigan band by singing along to their tried-and-true favorites at live shows adapt to these sonic changes? That remains to be seen, but “Scars,” “Arcturus Beaming” and “Bitter Medicine” already are at the 1 million streams mark and counting on Spotify, and tracks such as “Mad Dog” and “Time Will Change You” resemble and reflect the melodic hooks and strident voices of classic Crane Wives material, with a few added sonic enhancements.
Digging Deeper: The Grand Rapids band’s latest pushes the envelope in terms of its layered soundbeds and special effects, not to mention being unafraid to unfurl a 6-1/2-minute-plus epic track such as “Black Hole Fantasy” (while touching on sensitive subject matter throughout). On the flip side, the intoxicatingly catchy and groovy “River Rushing” that closes out the album feels like it could have stretched on a bit longer, leaving listeners aching for more.
Perfect For: Folk fans who revel in the rockier, more boisterous side of the genre and rock fans who appreciate rootsy, female-centric harmonies in their music. – John Sinkevics
Website: https://www.thecranewives.com/
Listen: “Arcturus Beaming”
Michigan Rattlers
“Waving From A Sea”
What Stands Out: From the very first listen, the production value of the Michigan Rattlers’ latest venture shines through. After that, the lyrics begin to sink in, with listeners able to find different Michigan connections within. For those that know the band, lead singer Graham Young has ties to Mackinac Island. It’s never actually mentioned, but it makes one wonder if “Lilacs Boom” could be a sort of love song set on the island. While heavier than their freshman and sophomore albums, the band still touches on what’s comfortable in the alt-country and Americana world. And many of the songs, including “Heaven” and “Gridlock (Just the Sky),” seem to be the logical next step for the band as they further develop their sound.
Digging Deeper: The Petoskey band that originally got its start as Orange Magic has come a long way since graduating high school and entering a new decade of adulthood. This album reflects that and marks a real maturing of their sound and songwriting. The band’s Americana roots remain, but with an evolved approach exhibiting definite influences from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Tom Petty and more from that classic rock genre. Aside from a much more fleshed out and full band sound, the production of this album stands above their previous records — thanks to fellow Michigan native Dominic Davis, who helped produce the record.
Perfect For: Nostalgic late-night drives. – Sean Miller
Website: https://www.michiganrattlers.com/
Upcoming Show: Dec. 28 at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor
Listen: “Heaven”
Silver Creek Revival
“Young in Warm Weather”
What Stands Out: Manton’s own Silver Creek Revival has unfurled a fresh collection reminiscent of many other Michigan-bred folk, bluegrass and Americana bands. These songs give listeners the feeling that they’re walking through a music festival on a search for new favorite bands. Aside from the aural familiarity, both the male and female vocals bring a strong and heartfelt presence with a slight edge at times. There’s a real sincerity in the vocals that perfectly complements some of the band’s more introspective lyrics.
Digging Deeper: Silver Creek Revival has created a strong piece of work that could keep any Michigander or Midwesterner listening on repeat for hours. Many of the songs on “Young in Warm Weather” sound like they draw influences from the likes of Lindsay Lou, May Erlewine, Seth Bernard, Caamp, The Avett Brothers and even a touch from The Lumineers.
Perfect for: That picture-perfect Michigan day spent lounging around with an ice cold beer. – Sean Miller
Website: https://silvercreekrevival.com/home
Upcoming Shows: Oct. 25 at The Beau in Cheboygan; Oct. 26 at Ore Dock Brewing Co. in Marquette; Oct. 30 at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids for the Local Spins Wednesdays series
Listen: “Young in Warm Weather”
Luke Winslow-King
“Flash-A-Magic”
What Stands Out: This sonically rich record of songs showcases a confident rock vocalist evocative of Ray Lamontagne, music laid overtop sharp and vibrant blues/rock mixing and production. Cadillac native Luke-Winslow King’s latest album, “Flash-A-Magic,” recently released by Bloodshot Records, may stand as the guitarist and singer’s signature release and a highlight of his illustrious career.
Digging Deeper: Winslow-King’s 15-year stint in New Orleans comes across vividly in songs such as “Black Eyed Gypsy,” layering natural sounds into the song’s production, making it reminiscent of an afternoon spent walking along the Mississippi River. The tempo change in “Peaches” comes as an interesting surprise nearly three-quarters of the way through the song. The album overall swings between blues and alt-country, with “Ave” and “If I Were You” showcasing a mix of guitar and vocal performance that will instantly spark attention from fans of The Black Keys. Often sparse, Winslow-King’s lyrics allow listeners to get lost in the horizon point of where his vocals meet the music. The slower ballad, “How Could I Forget,” showcases a softer side to the sharp vocals – a welcome reprieve on this nine-track album.
Perfect For: Backyard fall festivities, especially for fans of blues and alt-country and decisive guitar licks. – Virginia Anzengruber
Website: https://lukewinslowking.com/
Upcoming Shows: Now based in Spain, Winslow-King has several October shows in Spain, followed by November touring elsewhere in Europe.
Listen: “Everywhere You Go There You Are”
The Brothers Crunch
“Heartwood”
What Stands Out: This Traverse City rock band covers a lot of ground on its latest release. Within the first four tracks alone, listeners will hear grungy, 90s-inspired rock, bright and folky classic rock elements, a humorous interlude, and a funky hip-hop track. For the remaining 13 tracks on “Heartwood,” The Brothers Crunch essentially throw all of these influences and more into a blender and dial the absurdity up to the highest degree to produce a truly unique listening experience. Punctuated by short interludes from a character named “Crazy Richard” as well as “The Rainbow Hands Puppet Crew,” this unpredictable lineup of tracks simulates TV interviews and commercial segments which set a playful, lighthearted tone for the project.
Digging Deeper: It’s clear that several tracks on this album were created solely to poke fun at various elements of pop culture and don’t take themselves too seriously. “Butt Rock Band” and “All Good Things Must Die” — a diss track of sorts about the Energizer Bunny and a few other well-known characters — are clear and hilariously executed examples of this. However, there are moments in which the more sincere message of the album gets revealed. The opening track “Tapes” follows the theme of reminiscing on childhood, setting up the idea that the tracks to follow represent a return to the childhood joy, humor, and imagination that comes from making something purely for fun. One of the final interludes, “Caul-Back,” forgoes the profanities and vulgar humor that runs through the project and presents a brief sentimental message about the longtime friends and community that came together to make “Heartwood” possible.
Perfect For: Those who would like to experience the thrill of a roller-coaster purely in musical form. – Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherscrunch/
Listen: “Tapes”
Quilter
“Something More Than Time Itself”
What Stands Out: The debut release from Grand Rapids indie-rock project Quilter portrays raw emotion in a way that allows the listener to move through each feeling as if they were experiencing it themselves. Quilter’s songs tend to begin with a melancholy pace and a sense of mourning for the past, but build up in intensity as they progress. This, along with changing time signatures and the contrast of a somber verse paired with a catchy chorus, mirror the way heavy emotions can become frustrating as they change and conflict with one another. Fluid guitar melodies provide a compelling backdrop for Quilter’s reflective lyrics and keep the album moving at a steady pace.
Digging Deeper: Despite its heaviness at times, it would be a mistake to reduce “Something More Than Time Itself” to a gloomy breakup album. Both of the EP’s short interlude tracks represent hope and personal growth with a noticeably brighter sound than the tracks that precede them. Vocalist and lyricist Nate Krikke revealed that it was difficult for him to release a project as personal as this one, but he hopes it’s something in which others can find comfort. “It’s a wild ride to be able to take your own suffering, no matter how big or small, and turn it into something beautiful,” Krikke notes. The ambient sounds of rain and thunderstorms that accompany the opening track shifting to the sound of birds chirping on the third track reflect the concept of seeing the bright and beautiful things that can come as a result of dark, difficult times.
Perfect For: Letting yourself feel all of your emotions, but remembering not to dwell on the negative ones. – Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://www.facebook.com/quiltermusic/
Upcoming Show: 7 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 12) at The Stray in Grand Rapids with August and Joel Raymond
Listen: “Why Ya Treatin’ Me Like a Stranger?”
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