Four Day Beard - Four Day Beard

Four Day Beard

Four Day Beard
self-released; 2015

4.0 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

Four Day Beard is the brainchild from Joe Schwab. He started it in 2011 and over some years of turmoil and self-discovery he refined his music. The result is a self-titled six song EP which is an impressive indie rock/pop album.

Right out of the bat I thought the vocals were exceptional. It reminded me of the lead singer from Wolf Parade. The first song “Kentucky Gentlemen”  maybe the highlight on the EP and has great lyrics, inventive instrumentation and catchy melodies. It starts with bass and drums that provide the foundation for the guitars to pull off some lead work.

​Once the the verse hits the energy picks up from the drums and Schwab sings “Where’s all the good luck gone? Is it runnin' out? When it does, you’ll know where to find me” The chorus is exceptional and has tings of a band like Broken Social Scene.

“Feels like I might disintegrate” revolves around warm organ, percussion, guitar and bass. It's another exceptional song all around. Take a dash of Sparklehorse and The Flaming Lips and you might get an idea of what this song sounds like. He sings “I guess you noticed/I’m not from around here/Feels like I landed here from outer space/There’s no train or jet airplane /Can take me back where I belong/Feels like I might disintegrate If I don’t make it back home/Could you gather my belongings? And bury them in your yard?

“Salty Brine” does some solid rocking with slide guitar. The vocal harmonies are catchy, memorable and easy to enjoy. “Polar Vortex” and “Sweetheart Sucker” continue to ride the vibe he established from the previous songs while “East Texas” feels like his personal return to redemption and out of the darkness.

Four Day Beard is an exceptional EP with very minor issues that aren’t even worthy of mentioning. Schwab took a bit of time to get his music out there but it seems as if his journey paid off.

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