Showing a harmonious and nostalgic rock and folk soaring, Tales of Wonderland is the new album from The Taproots, a band from San Luis Obispo, CA.
“Wild Like a River” is fully exemplary of the band’s dynamic songwriting and arsenal. The corresponding vocal performances remind fondly of Deacon Blue, captivating especially into the punctuating “watch me play the game,” line. A tender guitar solo follows, prior to another dual-vocal engagement.
Another shining example of hooky songwriting and vocal versatility, “Big Fat Love” rides on soaring guitars and tender vocal work, driving to a fantastic “busting down doors,” sequence — rousing with a bursting throwback rock sound reminiscent of ELO. The closing “Fate of Fire” shows further invigoration and captivating vocal exchanges, with the “kissing you again,” exultation evolving into a dramatic, jangly title-referencing hook.
The album was recorded at Momboe Studios in Woodland Hills by Michael C. Mason and engineer/mixer Ross Pallone (Prince, Michael McDonald). Stream it below:
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“Wild Like a River” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of December 2022’ Spotify playlist.
