Sap Laughter - Rhododendron // Sound Will Become

Sap Laughter

Rhododendron // Sound Will Become
self-released; 2016

3.6 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Sap Laughter formed in 2012 but have known each other much longer. Ajay Morrison (guitar/vocals) and Elliot Andrews (bass/vocals) have known each other since they were nine. I tend to think music tends to be easier to make if you are already friends with your bandmate. Maybe I’m wrong but that’s my experience. There is no doubt these two have musical chemistry after spending some time with Rhododendron // Sound Will Become. Luckily, they also found Ian Kelley (drums) who was able to fit into the mix with relative ease.

Their release Rhododendron // Sound Will Become is a tad bit confusing. I wasn't sure to label this. Is it an EP? Two songs in one? One song? I’m still not sure. On their Bandcamp page they go into detail about Rhododendron and Sound Will Become. Two different names despite being on one track. 

After listening to the track it was hard to make any kind of distinction between the two names on the track. This is a technically proficient sound that veers towards a jam band. Throughout the eight minutes they latch onto a bunch of crunchy grooves that I was imagining people in Colorado dancing to. They go off on musical tangents and spotlight certain grooves. The vocals come in and out of the song naturally after musical interludes. I really enjoyed the vocal harmonies that were happening. It was an element that reminded me of Rusted Root in a number of ways. 

Rhododendron // Sound Will Become doesn’t really have a hook. You could make an argument for the vocal harmonies but that’s really it .The band explores different crevices of space with their instruments. With Kelley's proficient drumming keeping everything as tight as a metronome the band can freely improvise parts.

​Rhododendron // Sound Will Become is an enjoyable eight-plus-minute track. This is a groove and the band gets you into it right away. The band's last release was in 2014. I can't help but think this track is just a peek into what the band will be releasing in the not too distant future. Looking forward to it guys.

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