Pharis & Jason Romero - Long Gone Out West Blues

Pharis & Jason Romero - Long Gone Out West Blues
Independent


If you're looking for some authentic country banjo bluegrass, this act out of British Columbia may just be your saving grace. The thirteen tracks on this album include songs of heartfelt and honest introspection of life's troubles, lightly plucked instrumentals and even some of the rambunctious clamourings of musical fervor that many look for in banjo music.

The album lays on the sentimental side for the most part, especially when Pharis is singing. At times her voice carries softly over the acoustic guitar she plays, but at other times it soars with the emotional intensity that this music is born out of. Jason's vocals are equally impressive with his relaxed and natural drawl that will draw you into the heart of stories he sings. Combined, their harmony is sweet to the ears and ever so appreciatively invigorating.

Most of the songs have a classic sound, but do not tread too close to anything specifically familiar. For those in need of some genuine comfort music for the soul, this group will get the job done in no time.

 

Rotting Hills - Humans Vile Path

Rotting Hills - Humans Vile Path
Independent




It's so awesome to hear some great doom/sludge coming out of Vancouver! I know there are other local bands playing in this arena of doom/sludge/stoner, and some pretty damn good ones actually (Bison, Massgrave, Corazon, Depressing and Weirding come to mind), but none of them are really doing the doom side of things. Not only that, but Rotting Hills bring something unique to the table with five drummers, two guitars and one bass. The group only has one track up on bandcamp at this point, but seeing as it's around 20 minutes long, it should keep you satiated until they get more music out there.

The track in question, "Humans Vile Path," is a long, burly and corrosive journey whose points get absolutely hammered home with many drums raining down, numbing your skull in the best of ways. Thick, muddy riffs absorb some of the clatter and maniacal vocals show up periodically to terrify you out of the hypnosis. The low end paces along underneath everything like the slow saunter of Jason Vorhees in the deep woods, holding it all together. This is a band that I will be sure to check out live and soon; you should do the same if you're in the Van city area, and I will be keeping my fingers crossed for more recorded material from these guys.

Recommended for fans of Hooded Menace, The Body and Burning Witch.

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