By Henry Lipput
Downpilot's This Is The Sound is the Seattle-based band's follow-up to 2015's Radio Ghost. Radio Ghost was a bare, acoustic affair; in contrast, on the new album Paul Hiraga, the driving force behind Downpilot, brought in Melinda Rice on violin and Anne Marie Ruljancich's vocals to complement the core band. The result is a fuller, warmer sound.
For example, "We Just Come And Go" is gorgeous with its acoustic guitar along with a plucked and bowed violin by Rice that can remind you of R.E.M.'s Automatic For The People. And "Theivers" is another lovely tune with its echoes of Nick Drake; and there's a wonderful, quiet guitar solo in there too.
"At The Window" adds a mandolin to the mix as well as Rice's violin and Ruljancich duet-style vocals. Her voice blends seamlessly with Hiraga's and, along with a fuzzed guitar solo, everything comes together on this track to make for a fantastic listen. She also contributes to the melancholy pop gem that is "St. Clair."
"High And Guided" is less than four minutes long, but it's played as if it were an epic. It has a strong vocal from Hiraga and the full band is playing from the beginning. The terrific guitar solo that ends the number could go on for much longer, and you're going to wish it did.
The album also includes the slowly rocking "Behind The Sea" with a George Harrison-like slide guitar break. "Your Supply" is Nirvana unplugged, and the upbeat "Historian" is a throwback to the 70s prime of The Steve Miller Band.
This Is The Sound is out now on Tapete Records.
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