Share the post "Album review: DESOLATION SOUND – Salish Rock"
Robo Jack Records - [Release date: 28.07.2022]
What’s in a name?
For all fans of doom metal it’s time to look elsewhere as Desolation Sound are not the Lords of Valhalla that the name suggests.
In fact, anything but – they named themselves after the channel between Vancouver Island and the Canadian mainland, north of the place from where the band originates – Friday Harbo(u)r in Washington state USA.
They claim that living where they do infuses into their music, but this is hard to hear as the overarching vibe is one of ‘90s American ‘College Rock’ with touches of ‘Monster’ era REM and the pop rock of Tom Petty - but I would cite the most prominent influence as being the Gin Blossoms (remember them?).
Nothing wrong with that – I’ve always been a sucker for that jangly West coast guitar sound, although, it must be said, this is a little harder edged.
The album itself starts very promisingly with three great tracks – ‘Record Store’ (despite its entirely predictable lead-in of a stylus dropping into the groove) laments the demise of the local record shop – “R.I.P. Record store, why did you have to close your door?” (Amen to that), ‘Deepest Garden’, the most Gin Blossom-alike track with nice guitar and harmonies and ‘Yesterday Was Long Ago’ whose acoustic intro and rock riffage push it to one of the standouts.
‘Arms Around You’, ‘Evanesce’ (with its ‘What’s The Frequency Kenneth’ overtones) and ‘Caution To The Wind’ are the sort of songs that always turned up in American teen-movies of the ‘90s like ‘Empire Records’, ‘Cruel Intentions’, etc.
The instrumental title track sounds like a band having a good time and ‘Never Forget You’ is not what you would expect with guitars a-go-go.
‘Beautiful Sun’ takes the plaudits as the standout however, where they’ve slowed the pace down a little and included great harmonies and a killer chorus to mesmerising effect.
The album should have finished with ‘Beautiful Sun’ as it would have left you wanting more – as it is, closer ‘Can We Learn To Love Again’ really is as turgid as the title suggests although partly rescued by some tasty fretwork from guitarist Tom Henry.
There is much to like on ‘Salish Rock’ although, in truth, the album is a little one-paced, but, having said that, for a debut album, it really does sound good and full of promise for the band’s next album – which is due for release later this year.
Worth seeking out.
***1/2 Review by Alan Jones
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 28 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 30 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 29 April 2024
BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)
CICADASTONE Last In Line (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024
09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: DESOLATION SOUND – Salish Rock"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
