Written
by Daniel Boyer, posted by blog admin
Rejectionist
Front has tended to their musical development with all the attention you’d
expect and have aligned themselves with causes and concerns clearly
illustrating the importance of conveying their core beliefs through the vehicle
of popular music. Their second studio album Evolve boasts twelve songs
showcasing their exponential development since first debuting and they bring
much of the same New York City assertiveness we heard on their first
collection. Most rock bands in the modern music world adopt either five or
three piece configurations in their journey to earn public notice, but
Rejectionist Front is a four piece band with immensely creative rhythm section
work and creative guitar playing compensating well for the absence of a second
guitar player. The band’s appeared on a variety of high profile festival lineups
and alongside a number of mammoth figures in popular music – the songs on this
release bear out why.
Much
of Evolve revolves around a guitar heavy attack with tones and textures leaning
more towards the progressive side of the spectrum, but Lincoln Prout’s playing
incorporates a number of disparate influences. He solos with a sure sense of
melody and, more importantly, self control as he’s definitely a musician who
never overplays his role. Another of Evolve’s best songs is “Savior”, one of
the album’s best examples of Michael Perlman’s lyrics examining a reality of
our modern world in a personal, yet astute, fashion and one of the more
memorable illustrations of the band’s muscular rhythm section playing. Bassist
Tony Tino and drummer Dave Dawson are a tandem with unique chemistry and the
evidence of it on a recording promises they are even more pulverizing and
musical in a live setting. “All Is the Same” might seem enigmatically titled,
but a close listen to the song reveals more proof of their distinctive
songwriting qualities and, likewise, proves they can bring a convincing softer
side to their material. “Reclaim” is reminiscent in some ways of the album
opener, particularly in the way Rejectionist Front avoid all the usual rock histrionics.
“Flush”
contrasts some surprisingly raunchy riffing with more evocative, chiming
passages thanks to guitarist Lincoln Prout.’s ability to seamless alternate
light and shade. Perlman’s voice reaches some compellingly dramatic levels here
that we don’t come across in earlier songs, at least with the same inspired
energy powering his delivery. They reach even greater heights with the song “One
Life” and there’s a maturity we hear here that’s uncommon for acts so young, no
matter what genre. Perlman’s lyrics bring an expansive, occasionally poetic,
point of view to this song that matches its near grand textures. Lincoln Prout’s
guitar work is especially excellent. The album’s final song “Inside of Me”
closes Evolve down in the fashion it deserves with an appropriately significant
musical and lyrical statement that never risks heavy-handedness. Sophomore
releases are often bumpy rides for bands, but Rejectionist Front has blown past
that potential barrier with every bit of the force you’d expect from this great
band.
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