Arbouretum: Coming Out Of The Fog (2012)

GLENN ASTARITA,

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

Recent articles (1,629 total)

Published: January 15, 2013

Track review of "The Promise"

Hailing from Baltimore, MD, Arbouretum purportedly enjoys a hefty fan base overseas, but for those unfamiliar with the band, Coming Out of the Fog is most assuredly a good place to start. Framed by a sense of ominous regality amid lead guitarist Dave Heumann's nervy, prophetic, and authoritative vocal delivery, the plan of attack is partially mounted on glimpses of vintage hard rock and psychedelic propensities. The band also intersperses ethereal overtones into the mix, yielding a sonic craze that shadows the festivities.

"The Promise" is a prime example of the artists' solid compositional acumen, where harmonious melody lines uncannily transform into haunting hooks and menacing viewpoints. Here, they instill semblances of a doomsday mindset, but all in good fun. Brian Carey's heavy drums, Heumann's loud grunge-rock chunka-chunka chord clusters and a searing solo spot offer a step back in time, hearkening remembrances of vintage psychedelic jamming.

The ensemble intertwines antiquity with a distinct stylization that looks toward the future. Indubitably entertaining with songs that stick, the band contrasts the memorable riffs by refusing to play it safe. Hence, it's one of the premier differentiators that generate the rewarding results.

Track Listing: Track #1; Track #2; Track #3.

Personnel: Corey Allender: bass; Brian Carey: drums; Dave Heumann: guitar, vocals; Matthew Pierce: keyboards, synthesizers, percussion.

Record Label: Thrill Jockey