Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Sometimes Julie - Where Are You?

3/26/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sometimes Julie

Where Are You?
​self-released; 2020

3.9 out of 5

By Jay Freeman

Sometimes Julie, is one of San Diego’s most engaging and original rock bands, that emerged from a chance collaboration between singer/songwriters Monica Sorenson and Rick Walker in 2012. Walker, former guitarist for Chicago’s Greeley, is a multi-instrumentalist who reveals his rock n’ roll genius as he defines Sometimes Julie’s unique sound. Sorenson paints the pictures, finds the words, tells the stories and delivers the melodies with her powerful vocals. As the band professes “Walker is the theory, the rhythm, the science, the skill, and Sorenson is the front woman who is all heart and art.” Where Are You? the sextet’s fourth and latest release is a hard-driving rock record, that “wears Sometimes Julie's deep-seated blues and Americana influences on its proverbial sleeve.” A truly full-band affair showcasing each band member's musical influences, the group’s style is both aggressive and melodic, intricate and sublime as they plug into the sounds of indie, Americana and alternative rock. Recorded at Pacific Beat Recording in San Diego, engineered by Alan Sanderson and mixed and mastered by Andy Machin, Bigrock Studios,in Escondido, Where Are You? displays Sometimes Julie’s impressive musical range while offering music anyone can dance and sing along to.
 
For starters, “She Can’t Kiss You” heads right out of the gate with a sultry, bluesy style – a few guitar riffs in there which reminded me of Zeppelin and early Heart – and the organ was the icing on top. Overall, a great opener especially on the bridge parts and, what’s a rock n’ roll song without a great guitar solo? “Knew it All Along” begins with cool sounding keys, a lone guitar lick and smooth bass lines all centered on styles both old and new in this song about falling in love. I really liked how this one progressed along. Next up is “If Only” and it features an atmospheric sound and more of an indie alternative sound. I enjoyed this one a lot – the sound of the guitar, the bass melody, the bass-ier drums. Something elements within this song reminded me of the English bands of the early ‘80s. It had that nostalgic feel to it.
 
“Own Kind of Savior” offers the listener a slower paced song. You may hear some hints at ‘80s pop rock or contemporary country ballads from the ‘90s. The next tune “As Good a Day as Any” gets as pretty serious as any break song can get – I mean, dang, I felt the pain and I’m not even going through a breakup. Sometimes second chances have outlived their run and the only thing left is to say goodbye. Nice addition of the congas on this tune by the way. “Walk Among the Dead” features plenty of short guitar riffs in between verse and chorus, and lyrics that suggest a feeling of comfort and resolve when there’s nothing left to lose after you’ve been raked over the coals in a relationship. “Counterpart” has a mix of classic rock along with harder edged Americana styles. There are fantastic melodic bass lines being played here, not to mention a wailing guitar solo. Musically, I thought the entire band was at the top of their game here – everyone played strong.
 
“Quiet” offers the listeners an interesting juxtaposition of sorts, I think – pleading for “some quiet” as the “bees are swarming in my head” and “grey wolves prowling around my ears.” Lyrically, the words are a metaphor for “losing one’s mind” as the band discloses later on. Musically, I thought it was pretty cool to mix up the sax with indie rock sensibilities of the early ‘80s, although as I recall the saxophone was a pretty hot instrument to play back then. Anyway, this one reminded me strangely of the Go-Go’s – but with a sax. “Arachne’s Pride / Minerva” features a Latin styled guitar solo intro, and then a driving rock beat. Not sure if the lyrics exclusively reflect the life of the Roman goddess (Minerva), or the protagonist (Arachne) in Ovid’s epic Greek poem Metamorphoses, but the band’s lyrics made it clear that somebody didn’t want to wear a crown, she just wanted to be “small.” I’m guessing it was the former. “Lost Art” begins with a great piano/guitar melody, matched beautifully with Sorenson’s voice.
 
“Love Me Gently” is the band’s hallmark bluesy, slow dancing number, and it asks to be loved truly and gently, “’Cause my heart can’t take, that kind of break again / my heart can’t take any more.” The band’s last number is “Counting My Lucky Stars” and it has a nice, driving rhythm that feels just right for the closer. The song’s message is a positive one that’s directed toward a special someone – being grateful for them, having a glass that’s full and counting answered prayers. 

​
Altogether, Where Are You? is a pretty solid album throughout and I think it offers something for everyone.
official website

bandcamp
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact