Angel Miners & The Lightning Riders
As someone that has loved AWOLNATION forever, I could not wait for this new release and I was not disappointed. This entire album makes me want to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway and watch the waves crash as I drive by. There is a seriously strong California vibe, and plenty of call backs to it throughout the album. I am happy to see the immense success they have had thus far and hope to see t continue. I remember back when AWOLNATION was just starting to gain momentum, they were on Locals Only on KROQ, with Sail competing against my friends band. Now here we are a few albums later, post Here Comes The Runts with a new masterpiece.
Angel Miners & The Lightning Riders, starts with The Best, which I’ve been bopping to since it was released earlier this year. This is a very strong start with lyrics that seem to float over the top of a driving entry to the album. This song could definitely be something the NFL uses for MNF or any other event (providing we get those seasons). This follows up with Slam (Angel Miners), which has an absolutely haunting key tracking throughout the song. It almost feels like your a police officer in a classic 70’s movie mid car chase. Next on the track list is Mayday!!! Fiesta Fever, which starts with some strong horns that flow throughout the song. This song reminds me of something David Bowie would enjoy if he was still around (RIP). It’s highly creative, with some guitar drops, 80’s vibe, and more gritty vocal performance. Lightning Riders, starts off in a falsetto tone similar to what I imagine Prince would present on stage. This is followed by the typical drop and grit that makes AWOLNATION. This song is very pleasing to the ear, a light bop that leads into California Halo Blue. I can’t help but feel like I am driving by the beach, or watching The OC. This song is definitely a driving song. You can trust that I’ve already tested it out and it’s perfect. It’s the kind of song that if you were listening to it in headphones, you could definitely find yourself pretending you’re in the music video. The album then flows into Radical, which may actually be my least favorite, it’s just a little overly repetitive for me, but a great song regardless. This song leads into Battered, Black & Blue (Hole In My Heart), which starts with a heavier chord progression and grit. This song has a slight Stone Temple Pilots feel to it intermittently, and a mix of tones. It starts of with the strong chord progression and ends with an almost floating keyboard melody. Pacific Coast Highway In The Movies (ft. Rivers Cuomo), which as you may have guessed is another beach vibe song. Carrying harmonies that are similar to old Beach Boys songs. Once Cuomo jumps on the track solo, he brings his unique tone to the track that lifts and drives the song alongside the harmonies. It’s a perfect blend of the California beach vibe we’ve all been missing so much in these quarantine days. Half Italian, the next track on the album, starts off in typical AWOLNATION fashion with strong guitars and gritty vocals. This moves us into the final track, I’m A Wreck, which seems to be a more intimate raw feel to start. There then comes a monologue, followed by some added strings which leads to a slightly more intense feeling. A change of pace, and you hear a new beat followed by that classic AWOLNATION grit, and heavier guitar. Lyrically, it’s as if they are in your head when you’re thinking that you’re not good enough then trying to snap yourself out of it. It lifts into the melody that just floats from the key board.
I’d absolutely recommend that everyone checks this album out, especially if you’ve liked any of their previous work. I can’t wait to see them perform this as they are so great live. I saw them for their last tour and their stage presence is truly something you have to see! Have you heard the album yet? Have you seen them live? What did you think?
Check out their new album here.
