This round-up recaps new Michigan releases and takes a sneak peek into recordings by Laddermatch, Ryan Lynch and The J Hawkins Band. Listen to tracks and this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio podcast.
Leading Off This Month’s Album Round-Up: Big Timmy & The Heavy Chevys (Photo/Local Spins)
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Spring hasn’t quite sprung, but Michigan artists haven’t let that hold them back.
Dozens of new releases already have flooded our desks and email boxes in recent months, and here are Local Spins reviews of seven of them, spotlighting artists from across the state.
Listen to tracks from all of the releases while you peruse our takes on these recordings, and check out previous Local Spins album reviews you may have missed online here.
And scroll down to listen to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast which features several tracks from the albums reviewed below along with songs by Michigan artists performing this week at Austin’s South By Southwest music festival and bands performing at this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in West Michigan.
Big Timmy & The Heavy Chevys
“Feel the Weight”
What Stands Out: This eight-piece, funk/soul band from Grand Rapids mixes second wave ska like The Specials with howled and rowdy vocals from lead singer Tim Pierzchala. The band commits to its woodwind section with the first full saxophone solo coming out swinging in “Merry Go Round You,” followed by “Bighouse Man” that has the band’s two vocalists harmonizing and riffing with soul while highlighting simple guitar and bass play underneath the horn and wind repetition of the main hook.
Digging Deeper: Big Timmy & The Heavy Chevy’s enjoy playing music together, this much is obvious. On their test drive, the vocals and saxophone show off as stars of the band. Driving the car home, however, brings out the occasional slap bass and rhythmic funk guitar that really keeps everything rolling forward. The album features an impressive abundance of saxophone solos — so many that it’s difficult to keep track without revisiting the tracks for an accurate count. Overall, the vocals really win out with this outpouring of magic soul and shouting atop the hyphenated “doo-wop” style vocal harmonies on “My Whole World”.
Perfect For: As you drive, your foot taps, your knees bounce, and by the time the truck next you pulls up at the stoplight, you are full on dancing. – Casey Grooten
Website: https://www.1800bigtimmy.com/
Upcoming Shows: April 30 at Fulton Street Pub in Grand Rapids (Brian May benefit show); June 2 at Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts; July 1 at Royal Oak Taco Fest in Royal Oak
Listen: “My Whole World”
Samil
“Director’s Cut, Vol. 1”
What Stands Out: One of the hardest working producers in the area, Samil, returns with “Director’s Cut Vol. 1,” released through the Netherlands-based hip-hop label Below The Systems. It’s a record that shows careful attention to aesthetic and substantive details by curating sounds, instruments and memories together to craft a listening experience that is equal parts head-nod meditation and a warm bowl of comfort grooves. No inch of space is wasted, and it warrants repeat listens as you are hypnotized by what Samil has put together with his collaborators.
Digging Deeper: As Samil prominently states on his Bandcamp page, this album isn’t “just an instrumental compilation, it’s a director’s vision brought to life through music. Each track stands as a testament to the artistic collaboration between producer and artist, a symphony of beats waiting to be re-imagined with every listen.” In a sea of beatmaking artists flying past users on social media, audiences can forget that each moment has a story: the session vibe, the late nights where the mix was tweaked just right or a layer was added in the final hour to bring the track together. All of these elements coalesce to produce a solid experience from front to back that put it on Bandcamp’s “New and Notable” list when the album dropped in December 2023.
Perfect For: A chill night with friends that gets better each time the record turns over. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://www.loopfiction.net
Listen: “Gotta Want It”
The Still Wonder
“Letters”
What Stands Out: Inspired by the sounds and storytelling techniques of folk, blues and Americana, The Still Wonder crafted an album that explores two different points of view in a relationship. The West Michigan band represents this concept with vocal tradeoffs and harmonies from vocalists Tony Halchak and Penny Lloyd-Jones. “Letters took four years to complete from inception to completion. We took the hard, the difficult, the impossible in our lives and turned it into a story,” Halchak says of the writing and recording process.
Digging Deeper: “Letters” does not shy away from addressing the difficulties that may arise during the course of a relationship. While most tracks deal with this heavy subject matter, the sound of the album ranges from somber and emotional to upbeat and catchy. According to Halchak, The Still Wonder has been working on nailing down an authentic, signature sound for years and is finally ready to debut that sound with this full-length debut. Moody guitar strumming, lively banjo, and cinematic string arrangements are just a few of the sounds on this heartfelt project.
Perfect For: The soundtrack to your first springtime campfire. – Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://thestillwonder.com
Upcoming Shows: April 2, Duo Show at Cedar Springs Brewing Co. in Cedar Springs; May 15 at Bay Pointe Inn in Shelbyville
Listen: “Pandora”
Ryan Lynch
“Stages”
What Stands Out: Ryan Lynch makes his recording debut with a catalog of original songs and arrangements that showcases his talents as a singer, songwriter and performer with an eclectic rock flair. Audiences are treated to a spread of styles from Latin to upbeat dance moments, all stemming from a musician growing up in Metro Detroit and being involved in all kinds projects from rock bands to collegiate vocal ensembles. Even before releasing this debut, fans around the state have followed him from coffee shops to outdoor festivals, so to have this support heading into a debut must feel wonderful.
Digging Deeper: Debut albums begin an artist’s journey for many, but Lynch has had a life filled with making music. From first picking up his guitar at 9 to joining his first band at 12, he expresses a joy that comes from a life filled with creativity. That experience is paired nicely with an eclectic taste in music that’s palpable on each track: soulful doo-wop style verses empty into an almost math rock/British rock section early on, an Americana-splashed tune empties into an almost Dave Matthews-inspired riff on the following number, and the record wraps up with an intimate, acoustic cover of a Walk The Moon song. Having already won Walk The Beat in 2022 and selling out the North Star Lounge in Ann Arbor, audiences should expect to hear “Stages” on stages around the state.
Perfect For: A cozy summer evening. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://www.ryly.net
Listen: “Firelight”
Upcoming Show: March 29 at Grand Armory Brewing in Grand Haven (album-release show)
St. Joe Jack
“Empire Strikes Jack”
What Stands Out: Jack Adams of St. Joseph uncorks his first ensemble album with drummer Patrick Kargl, a happy and dancey, six-track affair recorded by Ryne Clarke of Upstairs Man Studios in Lowell. The collection has jam band influences, but follows strict melodic riffs as each song flows from beginning to a hyper-manic end. Most of the tracks change styles drastically in the last 30 to 60 seconds. “Elsie” becomes a psychedelic mash-up of raucous and ambient noise, and “Silver and Gold” transforms from happy-go-lucky rock/country/pop to synthy dance beats. St. Joe Jack likes to bring his music to a fever pitch of sound by the final second, whether that be a roaring fire or a cool blue flame.
Digging Deeper: At first, the album comes off as that lazily positive country rock one would hear at a street festival — it keeps the crowds moving and provides an uplifting artsy vibe. As the ride progresses, St. Joe Jack introduces so many different stylistic elements that by the time the listener arrives at the final track, “Joker,” it is impossible to be surprised by the ’60s beachy dream pop that leads right into a tight guitar solo and walk-about breakdown.
Perfect For: Folks who like to sway and dance to energetic guitar, ear worm melodies and the occasional multi-genre explosion while the musician whoops and hollers his love at you. – Casey Grooten
Website: https://stjoejack.com/index.html
Listen: “Silver and Gold”
The J Hawkins Band
“Up From the Ashes”
What Stands Out: The J Hawkins Band has that unmistakable sound of a Michigan rock band that has truly honed their craft. Their ability to seamlessly blend harmonies, as evidenced in tracks like “Troublewide,” is a defining aspect of their musical identity. The Traverse City band’s incorporation of foley effects also adds a certain depth and richness to their songs. From the moment the album begins, listeners are enveloped in the ambience of a lively bar, as if experiencing a live performance firsthand. This immersive experience continues with tracks like “Cowboy Song,” where the crackling of a fire sets the stage.
Diving Deeper: This collection of songs is a strong debut for the J Hawkins Band and really shows off their own blend of Michigan rock while combining standout influences. It’s evident the band draws inspiration from various genres including country-rock and blues-rock with sounds akin to ZZ Top, along with other elements that touch on contemporary rock reminiscent of the Foo Fighters. Listeners may even detect subtle nods to iconic acts such as KISS. The album wholly captures the excitement of a live performance that could be found at various festivals and events such as the National Cherry Festival or a county fair.
Perfect For: Driving fast, backyard summer barbecues mixed in with the classic rock greats. – Sean Miller
Website: https://thejhawkinsband.com/
Upcoming Shows: Saturday (March 16) at Encore 201 in Traverse City; March 22-23 at Kilkenny’s Irish Pub in Traverse City; April 12 at Mari Vineyard in Traverse City
Listen: “Troublewide”
Laddermatch
“A Tired Sleep Won’t Fix”
What Stands Out: Alternative rock group Laddermatch kicks off 2024 with this Settwind Records release. The album is packed with thunderous drums, dissonant guitar riffs, vocal hooks and ethereal coats of sonic paint dripping down into powerful choruses. It serves up a lot of what alternative rock fans love while keeping them on their toes. One can hear elements of groups like Tool, Dillinger Escape Plan and Deftones with a distinct sculpting from Laddermatch that makes this record a fun listen.
Digging Deeper: Fans of alternative rock are treated to not only the popular tropes, but a curated blend of soundscapes and songwriting styles that keep this album fresh as you listen. There are choruses to lock into, clear moments to mosh and let loose, but moments to cool down and soak in the atmosphere. These guys from Ionia don’t hold back, whether it’s the emotional delivery at a song’s peak or kicking up the energy to really drive a song home. .
Perfect For: Late nights at the bar when everybody is rallying behind the band and belting at the top of their lungs. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://www.facebook.com/LaddermatchMI/
Listen: “A Tired Sleep Won’t Fix”
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (3/15/24) Special Edition
Michigan Artists Featured for St. Patrick’s Day, South By Southwest, Album Reviews
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