Andrew Adkins Superior Vena Cava
As the 90’s continue to find their way back into our audio mainstream, it was only a matter of time before someone remembered Beck. That someone is Andrew Adkins. On his new album, Superior Vena Cava, Andrew Adkins taps into our collective unconscious and brings back the sound of Beck, pre-Midnight Vultures. From the opening track, “Mouthful of Blood,” to the closer, “Icicle Brain,” every track brings back the lost art of smart sampling paired with a resonant voice. Andrew plays all the instruments: vocals, guitars, bass, keys, piano, synth and percussion. He produced, mixed and engineered as well. This is an impressive solo project from start to finish.
The grunge movement of the 90’s had a number of different directions. Mostly remembered as a revolt against the hair bands and pop music of the late 80’s, the grunge music also had an electronic side. While the Beastie Boys represented a rap faction, with their nuanced sampling, Beck created a sound that was more than just “Loser” that’s played on the radio today. The albums, Mutations and Odelay harkened to country and rock ‘n roll intertwined with sophisticated samples that doubled down on his references. Andrew Adkins resurrects this theme and style and adds his own twist to it. And it’s incredibly well done.
Each song spins a contemporary take on the ennui of modern life. The songs find solace in the sampling. The reverb adds a dark, somewhat sinister element. It’s matched by the cover art and the song titles and lyrics. But the overall joy that flits across the samples adds playfulness to the mix. We hear this especially in “Finding Comfort in Discomfort” where his voice belts out “What if my fears come true?” over an upbeat countrified acoustic beat. It’s soft and subtle and makes the discomfort in the lyrics palatable and almost, pretty.
Other stand out songs on the album include “Freak Beacon” and “Skeleton for Keeps,” though honestly the whole album stands out. The organ in the latter, with reverb repeated on its sampling, is fantastic and has a get-up and dance feel. “Freak Beacon” is another playful dance track and gives a dance groove to the sadness underpinning the lyrics throughout the album. Overall, the album harkens back to another side of the 90’s, the sound of playful experimentation. It’s incredibly well put together. The songs connect easily and the vocals are country enough to remind us of Beck’s first few albums. This should be a welcome listen as Andrew spins a new take on a different avenue of the American grunge scene.
The album is available on 9/12/25 on all streaming platforms. Find more details here: http://www.andrewadkins.net/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: Andrew Adkins “A Mouthful of Blood”
This is awesome. Such a unique record from start to finish. Addictive.