This pre-Christmas batch of regional releases covers a lot of ground, with some much-anticipated new albums in the mix. Read the reviews, listen to the music.
New EP, New Band: Hannah Rose Graves releases “Awake in a Dream” later this month at Founders. (Photo/Chantal Elise Roeske)
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Hannah Rose & the GraveTones
“Awake in a Dream”
With her sophomore release, Hannah Rose Graves returns as soulful as ever, backed by a (mostly) new cast of GravesTones and a completely new batch of songs. “Down at the Bottom” begins with droning guitars that fade into searing organ. The song depicts despair while yearning for hope. “Inkwell” evokes a dreamy charm with its soft, bluesy piano riffs and subtle guitar accents. Graves lets her voice wander in an ascending chorus melody, and eventually, a technical, tasteful guitar solo rides the song’s sonic waves till the end. Another standout is “Whiskey Neat,” an old-timey tune decorated by a bright horn section. Keyboardist Dutcher Snedeker leads the instrumental charge with a rhythmic piano refrain, while Graves sings her heart out in a perspective-driven breakup song. Drawing the curtain to a close, “Bird of Blue” conjures up a sincere, poetic story about dealing with loss. Melancholy melodies sooth the soul. Drums drive forward in a march. Horns and guitars give the song a pulse. Keys swirl in a dizzying, jazzy solo. But through the complex instrumentation, Graves’ message is simple and heartfelt with this song and with this album: Life is turbulent and unpredictable, but the magical moments make the difficult ones bearable. With each song, “Awake in a Dream” provides an unavoidable sense of warming comfort. – Ricky Olmos
Website: http://www.hannahrosegraves.com/
Upcoming Show: 9 p.m. Dec. 28 at Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids (EP-release show) with Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe
Listen: “Bird of Blue” (Second song on this Local Spins on WYCE podcast)
hi-ker
“Lippe”
The sounds on hi-ker’s self-produced “Lippe” don’t seem Earthlike. The Grand Rapids experimental indie group are incapable of having an uninteresting moment within these 10 songs. Opening with an assault of electronic synth jabs and unapologetic lyrical verses on album opener, “Oily,” hi-ker sets a kind of nonchalant pop-sensibility right off the bat. “I’d Buy Houses” grooves a bit more with an infectious baseline. “Jessie B. Good” has a dancey, throwback disco vibe that pauses only for a drum detour and a building swell of keys and vocals. Listen to the bombardment of synthesizers on “No Gold.” There are too many ideas at play to keep track of, but it’s all compatible, and evidence that the trio’s experiments are a collaborative effort. But it’s not all just bells and whistles. The songwriting is top-notch, replete with gorgeous melodies and lyrics that give purpose to the work as a whole. Hear the album’s lead single “Jessie B. Good,” with verses and instrumental breaks which create and relieve tension masterfully. With this collection of songs, hi-ker displays an eccentric record and a vibrant sonic personality. Do yourself a favor and listen to “Lippe” with headphones – it’s a deep dive for which it’s worth hearing every note. – Devin Anderson and Ricky Olmos
Website: https://www.facebook.com/hikerband/
Video: “Jessie B. Good”
Charles the Osprey
“To Capture”
Anyone who stands near the front at a Charles the Osprey show will eventually make a complete ass of themselves. The instrumental rock duo of guitarist Rafael Ohli and drummer Derek Lancioni will lure you into rhythms you’ll be nodding and stomping to involuntarily, then will plow headlong into whiplash-inducing meter changes, lacerating riffs and drum fills that attack like landmines. You can only really dance to an entire song if you’re insane. On their second full-length, “To Capture,” the pair — Chuck the O. to their friends — continue to tantalize and confound. Recorded at the White Lodge studio in Wayland, the album broadens Ohli and Lancioni’s shared vision while cementing their boundaries of execution. (The guitars are tracked separately for left and right channels but never overdubbed or larded with effects.) Early tracks such as “Primed Necessity Morning Skin,” “Bargain Prose” and “Fugue to Forklift” begin straightforwardly before splintering into exhilarating chaos. “Butterworth in Autumn” is gorgeous, menacing and perhaps the best song they’ve written. “Finna Get Astral” lasts all of a minute but is a Rubik’s Cube of ideas. As ever, math rock is the wrong term for what Charles the Osprey does. This is chemistry and physics: difficult and dangerous, but beautiful when the right people are wearing the lab coats. – Troy Reimink
Website: https://www.facebook.com/charlestheosprey/
Listen: “Bargain Prose”
Jeremy Hoekstra
“Give It Up”
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Jeremy Hoekstra offers a positively soothing collection of pop tunes with “Give It Up.” Right from the beginning, with the atmospheric intro of “Alright Tonight,” Hoekstra evokes warmth, joy and musical maturity from years of songwriting. Hoekstra’s voice and lyrics soar along with soothing instrumentation across all seven tracks. The album shines brightest with its title track, a vibrant reflection on surrender and spirituality. Indeed, whether he’s performing, writing or serving as a worship leader, Hoekstra’s future as musician in the West Michigan looks just as bright. – Devin Anderson
Website: https://www.jeremyhoekstra.com/
Watch: “Taken”
Dori
“Patchwork”
Dori’s “Patchwork” is unabashedly bold. It’s a fitting title for the album, which alternates between a melancholy pop to aggressive post-punk. Genres bend and even break from song to song. Yet, there’s a feeling of cohesion across these eight tracks. During “Legacy,” singer-guitarist Alaric Bloss proudly declares “I know what’s right for me.” Dori as a whole (rounded out by bassist Jake Simons and drummer Shane Freeman) seems to know what’s right for itself, too. There’s confidence throughout the album, which, juxtaposed with the band’s musical and lyrical vulnerability, is uniquely refreshing. With “Patchwork,” Dori has firmly planted its feet in Grand Rapids’ burgeoning DIY punk scene. – Devin Anderson
Website: https://doritheband.bandcamp.com/
Upcoming Show: January 27 at Mac’s Bar in Lansing with Stonedage and Yay Hi
Listen: “Mild Scene”
River City Narrative
“Coming Home”
Sleigh bells! It’s the time of year when most folks are inundated with all-too-familiar Christmas music. Enter three fresh holiday tracks by Grand Rapids’ own River City Narrative. Look no further than “Coming Home Tonight” for a refreshing take on the holiday season, impressive guitar work and something you can’t help but hum along to. River City Narrative’s holiday-themed folk-pop makes me eager to hear what the band has in store in the future. For now, this little EP makes all the Michigan weather more bearable, and maybe a bit warmer. – Devin Anderson
Website: https://www.rivercitynarrative.com/
Watch: “In the Sky” (live)
Tired Blood
“Tired Blood”
It’s crude and vigorous – and rightly so. Tired Blood’s self-titled debut is super-charged with angst and energetic riffing. More importantly, though, it’s surprising. Dig into “Red Valiant” for example. One minute in, it’s already a total groove, but that’s where things get interesting–and utterly brutal– with an even heavier breakdown at a new tempo. Evidence of singer-guitarist Ryan Hamlet’s prowess as a composer can be found throughout the album, on songs such as “Book of the Dead” and “Disturbing the Peace.” And backed by the rhythm section of bassist Trevor Goldner and drummer Derek Lancioni, the band sounds much larger than a trio. Music like Tired Blood’s begs to be experienced live. Here’s to hoping folks in West Michigan get the chance. – Devin Anderson
Website: https://www.facebook.com/tiredblood/
Listen: “Red Valiant”
Copyright 2017, Spins on Music LLC
