Caleb Bailey - Expedition

Caleb Bailey

Expedition
self-released; 2015

3.7 out of 5

By B Parker

Caleb Bailey’s Expedition EP is a concept album of sorts, focusing on uniting the lives of an astronaut, a Hollywood star wannabe and an astrological cult. Knowing this, you might be surprised to learn that Caleb Bailey has selected a pop tone for his story telling: it's a combination of the usual guitars and drums, synth and occasional outings with flute and trombone(The tube is exceptional on "Space Cowboy"). It works very well, providing a backdrop as colorful as the concept. On top of that the instrumental work is often inventive and technically impressive.

Opening track “Square Peg Syndrome” is the most usual song on the EP, a low-key lamentation of not being able to find one's place in the world. It potentially sets up the rest of the stories that follow it, and while it's very direct about what it's saying it still has a handful of nice images here and there. He sings "Pass the bottles, I'm swillin' like I'm at sea, I'm really such a joke, but no one seems to get me, If I seem a little shy recommit me, or my wallflower curse". 

“Holly Won't” is a straightforward portrait of the titular character, a girl who finds her way to LA but refuses to play the usual game of aspiring stars. But rather than facing disillusionment there's a sense of joy to it, as though refusing the usual song and dance is reason to celebrate. 

The only difficulty I have with Expedition is finding all the joints where it all is supposed to connect. How the above “Holly Won't” relates to the second track “Space Cowboy,” the final moments of an astronaut facing an inescapable fate, is something that I personally don't see or hear. Closing track “Rosenthal's Principle” ties everything together on the larger scale, discussing the chaos of the greater universe and the futility of plotting a path through it.

It might not be fair to label Expedition a story. Rather it may simply be illustrating the place that anyone or anything has in the universe. Regardless it's musically sound from start to finish and easy to get into.

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