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REVIEW: THE BASTARD SUNS - LONG LIVE SONG 1/22/2014
Gweedo
In December 2013 the world was given the gift of song. Through Kickstarter, The Bastard Suns and fans produced the gem, Long Live Song. I’m honored to have been a part of putting this great CD out. I like the front to back album art depicting a caricature of a dead colonial man in a wooden coffin wielding a violin with two pence over his eyes. Inside, the CD has a custom pence design with the band’s name and the 2004 establishment date of the band. My hat’s off to Clay Heirs with the design and Whitney Carite for the awesome artwork. Also, due to the Kickstarter funding, there is a long list of all the people that helped bring this album to fruition on the inside cover. Long Live Song brings a little bit different sound to the table. The Bastard Suns lost a few of their members and from the marijuana ashes emerged as a stronger, better band. The core of the band remained the same with Clay on vocals, Wes Driscoll on guitar, and Jay Tea Thomas on drums. They added Mongo Peterson to pound out some bass and background vocals and the delightful Whitney to add some new flavor to the lyrics. The biggest changes to this album are including a female vocalist and that it is a little more folky. My favorite album of theirs is still Here Come The Suns because I think the songs are catchier and I like the grove of the album. Long Live Song is a must get album though.
Gweedo
In December 2013 the world was given the gift of song. Through Kickstarter, The Bastard Suns and fans produced the gem, Long Live Song. I’m honored to have been a part of putting this great CD out. I like the front to back album art depicting a caricature of a dead colonial man in a wooden coffin wielding a violin with two pence over his eyes. Inside, the CD has a custom pence design with the band’s name and the 2004 establishment date of the band. My hat’s off to Clay Heirs with the design and Whitney Carite for the awesome artwork. Also, due to the Kickstarter funding, there is a long list of all the people that helped bring this album to fruition on the inside cover. Long Live Song brings a little bit different sound to the table. The Bastard Suns lost a few of their members and from the marijuana ashes emerged as a stronger, better band. The core of the band remained the same with Clay on vocals, Wes Driscoll on guitar, and Jay Tea Thomas on drums. They added Mongo Peterson to pound out some bass and background vocals and the delightful Whitney to add some new flavor to the lyrics. The biggest changes to this album are including a female vocalist and that it is a little more folky. My favorite album of theirs is still Here Come The Suns because I think the songs are catchier and I like the grove of the album. Long Live Song is a must get album though.
Long Live Song has 11 tracks with a hidden track at the end. I think it is a little short. Typically before I know it the CD is over. This is good and bad. I’d really like to hear more songs especially since I’ve been craving new material from these guys, but on the bright side it doesn’t drag on and have songs you just skip over. There are a lot of struggle undertones in the lyrics, like struggling in a relationship and struggling as a band. I feel for these guys. I absolutely love this band and can’t figure out how they haven’t reached that next level of stardom. The quality material is there but people just aren’t hearing it. A great thing about this track list is that every song is unique. You don’t get the feeling, like with some bands, that each song sounds exactly the same as the other songs on the album. Adding Whitney on vocals really helped in this department along with a talented instrumental section.
Let’s get into the meat and potatoes, or Funyuns and pizza of the album depending on your medication of choice. The Bastard Suns start the album fantastic. With the first track, “Right Place/Wrong Time”, you get Wes delivering a driving riff then they come out swinging. Instantly the track pulls you in and gets you rockin’ out. The lyrics are catchy and have you singing along and Mongo has some nice bass runs. Jay Tea lays down a solid beat and Whitney provides good background vocals. Wes even throws in a tasty guitar solo. I’m not going to go track by track on this CD but the next track, “Enlighten Up”, demands to be mentioned. On this track Whitney proves that her voice is just as strong as Clay’s. Clay has some good raps to accompany the song with, but the star is Whitney. The instrumentals are really low key just to showcase Ms. Carite’s lungs. A great example of what to expect from the dynamic duo of Clay and Whitney is “Pain Train (Down to Hurtsboro)”. On this track they produce a duet lyrical narrative that enhances the song by being sung from a male and female perspective. It is really a more powerful track than if Clay had been the only singer. “Bite, Scratch & Claw” has a little bit different sound that makes me think of Johnny Cash. Not 100% sure why I get that feeling but I believe it is because of the low tones that Clay sings in accompanied with the acoustic guitar.
Long Live Song had a few special tracks on it. One is my favorite song on this album, “Our Legacy”. It has a lot of energy and features a scream track done by Chris Navarrete from, L.A. band, Eken is Dead. I think the song is a splendid example of a typical Bastard Suns track but has the added dynamic of screaming lyrics in the background making it unique. I wouldn’t mind hearing more songs like this. Another specialty track is the cover of, The Talking Heads, “Road To Nowhere”. The Bastard Suns nail it every time when they do a cover song. I would totally buy a CD full of covers by them. On This track they did a great job of putting their own flavor on it and making it their own. “Charlene” is another track that features a special guest, Sam Szpendyk on trombone from, Palm Beach band, Spred The Dub. This track gets a hint of Ska with the added instrument. Finally the last track I will mention is the hidden track. It is an informal little acoustic lullaby to all the “little bastards”. I think it highlights what is already known; they are a very easy going, talented, and witty group.
So there are my thoughts to the latest addition to The Bastard Suns’ discography. Long Live Song has me excited for two things; one, a tour and two, more new music with the new bandmates. I think there are going to be some more great songs coming out as the group absorbs the influences of the new members. This album is a perfect example of how the climate has changed regarding big record labels and bands. We are in an era where passionate fans can finance bands directly and become more integral to a band’s success. I’m glad The Bastard Suns were able to get the support and bring this piece to light. It just shows how fantastic this band is to be able to pull off this kind of project. I really hope it gets them on their feet.
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