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

The Wall Chargers - In Between Frames

3/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Wall Chargers

In Between Frames ​
self-released; 2015

4.0 out of 5

By Mikhail Schilkey
​
There's a sense of brimming energy, restive and restless, just bubbling under the surface of In Between Frames. Not to say there's anything sleepy about the EP's quick, five-song jaunt—just that there seems to be a concerted effort towards restraint. The result is something delicate and vulnerable. Rather than a quick EP as an extended preview of a full-length, here is a coherent, concerted effort—a vignette, of sorts—that finds a versatile band exploring a soft, lush side with intuitively build songs that fit together tightly.

The Wall Chargers hail from a from a Venn diagram-like corner of the South, where Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas abut (it's been coined “Ark-La-Tex”), their sound every bit the amalgamation that their surroundings are. There're strong roots influences as well as the pedal steel twang of classic country—but there's also some rock and rhythm, gospel and sweeping suggestions of baroque. Despite being such a musical mutt, the band manages to maintain the gait of a purebred, making the mixture of influences sound like most logical, intuitive thing.

In Between Frames sets the tone with a diverse and poignant opener. “Lighthouse” starts with a sad, sashaying horn that finds hope as it begins to harmonize with another, before a guitar ringing in changes the focus and the drums tumble forward, with reedy-but-full vocals hot on the heels. It's a beautiful way to open an album: it establishes a landscape, paints a horizon and gently invites you in—all in under 30 seconds.

The Wall Chargers find distinction in a full sound with a more minimalistic approach—they create open spaces and are less prone towards filling every nook. Vocally there are often similarities with Grizzly Bear, although without the multi-part harmonies that band is known for. The horns and background instrumentation remind me of Father John Misty's fabulous 2015 release, I Love You, Honeybear, but without opting for the full orchestral effect on this album.

The tracks are all effective at building, adding layers and filling out quite a bit by the end. So, while the album takes a decidedly roots-y turn at the onset of the second track, by the end it's filled out with horns and harmonies, providing an effective transition to the third track “Counterweight.” That song stands as a steady fulcrum at the center of the album, taking a semi-repetitive romp that allows the band to throttle intensity up and down, adjusting that slow burning simmer before fading out at the end towards the backside of the album. “Friend of Mine” is a straightforward acoustic guitar song in a Southern, Dylan-esque sort of way, while the last song, “Up & Up,” provides an apt bookend to the EP. The closer has a bit more of a tumble forward between the bass and drums, but with the guitar meandering. It's the highest energy the album showcases, still maintaining some restraint, but almost suggesting that what's to come next is sure to have a little bit more rock n’ roll flare to it.

​The album was recorded in the band's hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana and is the 12th release they've put out as a loose group under one name or another. The production is simple and effective: there's not a lot of studio magic or effects visible on the surface, but surely deft hands were involved to maintain such a natural, full-yet-spacious sound. These songs were pulled from the recording process for a full-length, due out this summer on Day Old Blues Records.
Become A Fan

official website
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

    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 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact