The Bad Associations - Liberty Bell

The Bad Associations

Liberty Bell
self-released; 2016

3.2 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

The Bad Associations are a couple of dudes from Philadelphia that released Liberty Bell. The album revolves around mostly guitar, some effects and singing. It’s more or less these guys coming up with skeleton ideas and recording them through their computers.

According to the band, “instrumental tracks were spaced between the tracks with vocals to try to express the American non-verbal reality that lay between our thoughts, words, conversations, etc.” I had no idea what that means and I still have no idea after spending time with the album. 

Things open up with “A Poem” which is a decent song. The delay effects were unnecessary but also innocuous. It’s a melancholy song that doesn't have a hook and goes by quickly. “Aad Bssociations” is a slightly funky song that desperately needed drums to give it energy but had a cool vibe nonetheless. The vocals are so distorted that it’s hard to listen to it. 

“Lost Yourself” slices through basic power chords and well executed lead guitar. “Triplets” makes for a good sleeping aid and I mean that as a compliment. “Song For A Lost Country” a long instrumental that while pleasant doesn't go anywhere. 

​To say that The Bad Associations is anything else then a couple young guys having fun with music would be a lie. They are exploring some sounds with the resources they have and sometimes they do they have some success. That being said there will have to be notable improvements in a number of areas if they hope to be doing this as a career.

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