Local Review: The Rockies — ANOTHER ALBUM!

The Rockies
ANOTHER ALBUM!
Nikita Records
Street: 07.09.26
The Rockies = Lemon Demon + Dr. Dog

The Rockies are fresh out of the summer studio with their debut: ANOTHER ALBUM! What starts as a silly, seemingly amateur production left me in tears by the final song, and that is no easy feat. What makes The Rockies so great, you may ask? Well, I’d argue that it’s the result of four young men and the unshakeable draw to creating sound. ANOTHER ALBUM has been an interesting assignment, to say the least. I must say that The Rockies are still learning, and the future of their sound is uncertain as this new band navigates the ever-growing myriad of genres.

The first portion of the songs within ANOTHER ALBUM! is focused on a conglomeration of smashing cymbals, electrifying riffs and silly lyrics that might leave you scratching your head. That may be my ears, though, because the lyrics aren’t quite uploaded. Nonetheless, you’ll likely find yourself jamming along to this first portion of the album — between a blend of stirring instrumentals and the lead vocals, the first few songs seem to resemble the sounds of the beloved Lemon Demon. This can especially be heard in tracks like  “We All Coming Back” and “Morning Glory,” which feel a bit disjointed and loose in their composition, although they are definitely some of the groovier beats on the album!

Very quickly, however, we begin to encounter some more moody downtempo instrumentals where the vocalist’s style seems to fit in much better with the combination of a perfectly timed and tuned band. I actually found myself surprised to unearth some of these rich slow-jam songs beneath the first three upbeat tracks, which initially read as laid-back and a bit ironic in nature.

“Almost In Love” is a sweet tune about new romance and the way the world seems to hold a pink hue when you’re by the side of the person you’re falling for. This track was the one to catch my attention during my initial playthrough, before we enter “Down By The Riverside”, paying homage to the African-American spiritual and pre-civil war song that was famously performed by Pete Seeger, namely titled “Study War No More”. With a soft tune and lyrics focused on abandoning your burdens, laying down your weapons and the concerns of war for a nice nap alongside the river. Consider your own momentary rest by the riverside after this Midterms season!

I also loved the pairing of the slow, groovy instrumentals and a nearly melancholic melody in “The Philosopher’s Stone,” which focuses on the disappointment that stems from fables and farces told to save face in relationships. Whether this be a song about a fallen friendship, a lost love or the fault of a parental figure, I think everyone has found themselves fallen to the disenchanted fates sung about in this track. Then I found myself repeating “Yer Song,” another dreamy, lovesick lullaby about young people navigating attraction and adoration in youth. I sat reminiscing on the inexperienced early days of my own relationship before I found myself married to the love of my life, and I truly think that is the perfect sentiment to describe this song. By the end of the album these songs sound akin to a soft and leisurely Dr. Dog release.

The Rockies also do a fantastic job of varying the sound throughout their debut, with a few upbeat rock-centered songs such as “Macabees” and “Love Letters To Myself” to keep listeners from lulling into the daze of repetition. I’ve found that many new artists do not know how to vary the sound of their tracks throughout their early releases, and this can cause songs to blend when listening back-to-back. The Rockies have undoubtedly defied this downfall, and they close their debut with one of the most touching songs I’ve heard in a long time: “No Substitutes (Live?).”

This track is all about moms — the things they make you do, the ways they show up for you and the ways that they continue to prove that there are truly no substitutes, no matter how far apart you find yourselves. The vocalist fits into this sweet, wistful song, sharing stories of the meals mom has made and the tired days she’s faced. I truly found myself tearing up at the tenderness and gratitude that closes this debut, and these boys leave you with a melody that could make many reel with raw nostalgia. By the finale this debut sounds like a roller coaster, and if I could speak to The Rockies directly I’d have one message: keep it up! —Juno McKell

Read more music reviews by Juno McKell:
Local Review: Queenadilla — You Won’t Survive This
Local Review: Daniel Young — Another Golden Hour

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