Written by Jon Garniss
I really like when musicians stray from their comfort zone. When I opened up my email to see that a band featuring The Story So Far’s Kevin Geyer was releasing a somber indie rock record, I did a double take. Then I listened to it. Then I listened to it again. Then I listened to it a third time. It’s just that good.
Elder Brother is sonically divorced from The Story So Far, and Kevon Geyer is absolutely a fully different guitar player in this band. Joined by vocalist and co-founder Dan Rose, as well as new full time additions in bassist Morgan Foster and drummer/keyboard player Evan Garcia-Renart, Elder Brother is a quartet that is focused on making music that both separates itself from and ingratiates itself to their louder roots.
Produced by Jack Shirley and recorded primarily to tape, this album features all of the quirks and imperfections that recording mostly live performances captures. It’s just that much better for it: these songs feel organic and energetic. They feel real and alive. On an album as jam-based as this one, that is incredibly important.
If I had to describe “I Won’t Fade On You’ in only a single word, it would be reserved. On this record, the Bay Area band is so purposeful in their musical choices. Every instrument means something, and when they bring in additional instruments like trumpet (on “Washed”) or violin (on “I Won’t Fade On You”) those instruments mean so much more because of how thoughtfully they are used.
To me, this record feels hopeful and somber; blending the optimistic and the melancholic together in a way that feels both triumphant and sad. “Halloween” and “If You Love Me (Like You Say”) are songs that feel like they could be equally at home as the soundtrack to a drive down the highway with the top down or as the background music to self-reflective inner turmoil. They’re incredibly versatile pieces of art. “I Get So Tired Of You” (which has a music video which you can watch here) is a keyboard heavy groovy number that balances fuzz and funk. The bass and guitar tone are incredibly distorted, working together under an R&B melody that is just awe-inspiring. I love “Ok, Alright” with its jazzy piano and drum interplay as much as I love “The Champion Of East Bay” with its Bossa Nova influenced swagger and intricate guitar harmonics. I love the groove of “Projector” with its increasingly complex drum fills, and I love the waltzing acoustic guitar of “Hair”. This band is exceptional at grooving.
On “I Won’t Fade on You”, Elder Brother over delivers blending simplicity and intricacy together on songs about growth, love, and loss. This album was an extremely welcome surprise, and I can’t wait to hear what the band does next.
“I Won’t Fade on You” releases everywhere 2 October 2020 via Pure Noise Records.
Elder Brother can be heard or found here:
