Milton, Massachusetts band Lower Falls have released this new 8 track album of airy, tasteful rock music. Titled Maybe Tomorrow, this CD floats by like a dream, a cloud of intricately strung music that never overwhelms as it offers music that appeals to the soul as well as to the ears. This band’s influences seem to be drawn from the kinds of groups who always kept their rock and roll pared down but with a strong feeling and voice. The band is: Geoff Shaw on vocals, acoustic guitar; Kevin Dambruch on electric guitars, keyboards; Adam Winkler on bass, backing vocals; and Gary Gardiner on drums.
Opening track “Home Again” feels like something familiar and comforting. Vocals and music flow forward with a persistent energy that makes one feel the ride. A pleasant lead vocal and a groove that feels as attention getting as a tap on the shoulder carry one along on this likeable soundscape. Guitar chords are wide and beautifully supported and the whole thing makes for a good introduction to this very likable album.
“Out Of The Cold” ushers one into this homey, down tempo number. About a winter night, it builds itself into something emotionally intimate. Acoustic guitar notes reassure while an electric guitar puts across a melodic phrase that feels as inviting, with a bit of a piercing edge. Most importantly, this sparsely arranged number expands, without pretension, into a wide expression of feeling. As the music builds, the listener gets a clearer sense of the song’s feeling for the person being sung to.
“Lend A Hand” gets one into a jumpy, upbeat mood with its perky electric guitar rhythm and a second guitar’s edgy phrasing. Bracing each other with cool resolve, the two guitars make a gripping, engaging sound. The easeful vocal moves over this guitar mesh with a cool breezy style that contrasts with and brings out the beauty of both the voice and the instrumentalist. This one is most likely the hit single for Lower Falls, out of an album of eight radio friendly songs.
Gentle slaps of electric guitar push title trace “Maybe Tomorrow” into the listener’s consciousness. A smooth, pop rock vocal blends in well and the delicate push of this number amounts to the energy of a sweet dream. This one has a pleasant, engaging skip, a beat that pushes on just the right side of the overall groove. An even tempered electric guitar phrase is loaded with energy as it moves forward with edge, verve. It’s uncanny how the lead guitar on this album can be so strikingly lean and dynamic without overwhelming the rest of a gently played number. Ensemble playing, by the time this track plays, is clearly one of this band’s strong points.
“Twitch” jumps right out of the stereo speakers with a suggestive groove. After it grabs our attention, that pleasant engaging vocal rocks things up a bit with shouted vocals sung over an agitated guitar phrase. This one feels like an anthem with its sudden, explosive guitar and drum punctuations and a swagger in the singer’s attitude. A bit of late 1970s/early 1980s punk and alternative rock infiltrate the structure and tone here, and it’s fun, impressive, expressive soundscape.
“Pray Your Heart” calls out to the listener with the lead vocalist’s high, plaintive vocal line. He calls on us to put our hearts into it while flinty guitar chords jangle beneath his voice. It’s uplifting as it rocks its way along an easeful groove, and the contrast between the upper register guitars and the rhythm section become a curious draw.
“Human Wreckage” is one of the band’s more edgy numbers. Forceful drumming and bass guitar work keep this one in your face while vocals and guitars move around that groove with cool aplomb. This is another possible radio hit for the four piece. It’s irresistible groove, engaging guitar line, and a plaintive soul in the lead vocal keeps the listener focusing intently on where this group is taking us. Throw in a hooky chorus and we have ourselves a winner.
The band close out their album with “Somethin,” a folksy feeling, down tempo number with plenty of feeling and plenty of fine acoustic instrumentation. A down on the range feeling emanating from a country flavored guitar phrase makes the listener feel more at home during this front porch kind of ensemble playing. It’s an amicable close out to an album of fine, gentle swagger.
Lower Falls have come up with a fine calling card with this eight track album. It should help them to nudge themselves into local radio play lists while convincing at least some the rock club bookers in greater-Boston to give them a chance.