An eclectic, creative vigor enthralls throughout the self-titled album from Three Springs, a band based in Door County, Wisconsin. A variety of personalities show across the tracks, from the opener’s power-pop vibrancy to the peppy rhythmic push within “Lock Eyes” and the jangly moroseness of “Fortress of Solitude.” The project comprises guitarist/vocalist Paul Taylor, bassist/vocalist Shepley Frater, and drummer Adam Cain — each impressing with strongly evident musicianship and an embrace for thematically stirring, tonally dynamic sounds.
“Around You” exudes a power-pop charm in its vulnerable lyrical admissions and jangly guitar spirit. “I don’t know how to act around you,” the vocals admit, building into a debonair guitar solo and clap-laden percussion at the two-minute turn — continuing a fun, approachable opener. Three Springs diversifies well between approachable hookiness and bursts of experimentation, and “Around You” plays like a welcoming kick-off in its vibrant, twangy accessibility.
A debonair composure takes hold on the ensuing “Alien Blues,” traversing into another planet entirely — though with peace and love, instead of ominous alien overlords. Head-nodding bass pulses and bluesy guitar tones complement the suave vocal drive. The “I dreamt that aliens rescued, but that was just a dream,” lyricism exudes a drive for escape, particularly when mentioning waking upon the “nightmare,” of earth-bound limitations. And like the opener, a fantastic guitar solo caps off “Alien Blues” with sweltering, satiating qualities; the beckoning for an alien to “take me far away,” plays with a sincere yearning for brighter days.
Three Springs continues with a danceable immersion on “Lock Eyes,” whose descriptions of a sweltering dancefloor plays poignantly within bouncy bass and quick guitar swipes. “I wanna move my feet,” the vocals escalate enjoyably, beckoning to show “the way your hips can move.” A seductive infectiousness shows, leading into the raucously compelling rock energy of “Notice” — whose guitar work electrifies past the three-minute mark. The shift into the subsequent “Waiting” is especially indicative of the band’s eclectic tonal grasp; the transition from ardent rock into this effort’s jazzy percussive dexterity and calming guitar tones proves cohesive and enthralling.
The album impresses in its aesthetical diversity across the first half, and that continues in quality form as “I Can Still Hear The Water” arrives with lush folk sensibilities. “You moved to paradise, to keep the world at bay,” continues a yearning for escape, highlighted in other tracks like “Alien Blues,” though addressed here with warming folk spine-tingling; the result is heartrending and lushly impactful. More introspection is apparent within “Nobody Special,” evoking a sort of Steely Dan smoothness in its soulful guitar precision and vocal admissions, melding well in its views of self-perception in the context of a need to escape from mundanity.
A playful rock sound shows on “Science Class Skeleton,” beckoning to teach youth about “the beauty that’s inside of them,” whilst playing the role of the titular namesake. Acknowledgments that “I’m sure I’ll freak a few people out,” show a humorous vein, in enjoyable contrast to the lonesome guitar jangles within the following “Fortress of Solitude.” The one-two punch of amiable rock humor and the introspective, haunting intrigue within “Fortress of Solitude” further showcases the project’s beautifully diverse range of topics, styles, and tones.
The album doesn’t let up in its quality songwriting, finishing strongly with “Already Dead” and “Big Big Difference.” The former effectively conveys a menacing rock arsenal within lyrical hints of mariticide, while “Big Big Difference” concludes Three Springs with a twangy, country-touched rock appeal. “It could make a big, big difference, if we could take a little action today,” the vocals let out, its evident call-to-action aptly closing an album within its thematic perspectives of self-worth, personal vulnerabilities, and a drive to escape tumult. Three Springs thoroughly impress across this memorable self-titled album.
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“Notice” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
