The Society of Rockets – Tough Trip Through Paradise
While other writers have cited an influence by George Harrison (agreed), Gene Clark (yes) & Richard Hawley – the first track of this new effort by San Francisco’s The Society of Rockets is wholly Nick Drake-inspired. The vocals, hymnal melody & gentle acoustic guitar with melancholy overtones on “Amen” – it’s what Nick Drake may have sounded like if he allowed a full-tilt band to back him up.
By track 2 “Doors Are Opening,” the band slides into a Byrds circa Gene Clark era & it’s done with finesse & class. However, the break mixes George Harrison with Roger McGuinn’s chiming guitars. Quite good. Easy on the ears & memorable. This is for people who remember the great hit sounds of 60s radio. But the Harrison style is more fully realized on “Built To Last,” & “Treasure In Hand,” even the vocals are a bit in Harrison’s tradition. However, the songs alone are more firmly designed as a Tom Petty attraction. Good either way. Nice melody & arrangement that’s consistent.
The 10 disciplined pieces that makeup Tough Trip Through Paradise (Drops March 29/Underpop Records/39:00) are more like new songs with nostalgic ingredients. The performances are all commendable. The Society has been banging about for over 20 years & this 8th studio album shows their experience clearly.
With “Don’t Be Afraid,” it seems the band is grazing in the fields of 10cc (“I’m Not In Love”) & they do a good job of it. But this style is somewhat dated to 2024. “Golden State,” has the Jeff Lynne Electric Light Orchestra touch & this is done as a highly lacquered presentation. Where ELO would attack with strings SOR inserts horns & that wall of sound ELO approach is there. Nice job. Not as powerful as The Beaver Brothers (“You’ll Never Believe It” from “Ventriloquisms”) but that was a supernatural stab at ELO.
“Smoke & Mirrors” seems like it comes from the era of Stackridge & The Korgis (ex-Stackridge James Warren & Andy Davis) who played & sang similar songs in the same manner. It’s a music hall presentation dollied up in a tint of progressive music. It makes it all an interesting listen.
Highlights – “Amen,” “Doors Are Opening,” “Built To Last,” “Golden State,” “Smoke & Mirrors” & “Getting’ Along.”
Musicians – Adam Dobrer (bass), Dan Harris (drums), Joshua Babcock (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/mandolin/bass harmonica/autoharp/percussion), Mike Evans (acoustic & electric guitars/lap steel/ percussion/bgv), David Isbister (acoustic & electric pianos/Hammond organ), Justin Walsh (electric guitar/accordion/trumpet), Robin Wageman (bgv/harmonium/electric piano/Hammond organ/acoustic guitar) & Lorelei David (bells/theremin/fiddle). With Joshua Marshall (tenor sax), Alex Orloff (alto), Carolyn Walter (baritone), Ronite Gluck (French horn), Dan Aldag (trombone), Kathy Isbister, Roxie Dobrer-Paik, Rachel Dionne Tsacle (bgv) & strings performed by the Agarita Chamber Players.
Photo courtesy of the band’s Facebook. CD @ Amazon + http://societyofrockets.org/
The posted single makes me feels better