Taking on classic styles of music can be a tough proposition, especially one such as psychedelia. Although it is still widely explored, this is a genre of music that many equate solely with the 1960’s. Mention the genre and one’s mind instantly goes to classic bands such as the Grateful Dead, 13th Floor Elevators, or Jefferson Airplane. Thankfully, Massachusetts based band quilt is able to live up to this daunting task on their third full length Plaza. (As you can see there was not any copyright free pictures of the band, so I chose to celebrate their name with a picture of a colorful quilt). On this album they honor the classic side of this style of music, while still adding their own modern spin.
Of the aforementioned bands, I feel their vibe fits most closely with Surrealistic Pillow era Jefferson Airplane. A lot of this is due to the fact that like that album, Plaza features alternating male/ female vocals. Many of the songs feel reminiscent of lost tracks from a session in the 1960’s. The album starts off with a haunting track “Passerby” with great vocals by singer Anna Fox Rochinski. While there are great vocals throughout, her tracks are the ones that stand out the most. None are better than the terrific single “Roller”. Although this is the least retro sounding of the tracks, it is the catchiest and most impactful. It depicts the frustration of being in a relationship with a selfish person. It features a great line, “How can you believe that everyone you meet is here to entertain you”, pointing out that difficulty and resentment that occur when you are with someone who cares solely about their own needs. This is a beautiful portrayal of the perils of being in a tumultuous relationship.
Another neat element of the album is the use of the orchestration in tracks such as “Elliot St.” and “Hissing My Plea.” (Which reminds me a lot of the ambiance of the Beatles White Album classic “Savoy Truffle.”) Though they are prominent they are used carefully, ensuring they do not mask the effectiveness of the lead vocals and harmonies. While psychedelia is a focal point of the album, it also offers a mixture of different styles that explore different avenues of music from the past. This is especially the case with the song “Something There”, which hearkens back to the power pop vocals of the classic band Big Star.
The albums closes with two great tracks: “Your Island” and “Own Ways”. The former has my second favorite line from the album. “Somebody asking to make a bet on silence”, while the latter features a fierce and mysterious guitar riff coupled with gripping and desperate vocals about a couple doomed to go their separate ways. It is the perfect way to end an album steeped with nostalgia, that effectively bridges the gap between classic and modern music.
Favorite Tracks: “Roller”, “Your Island”
-Nathan K.
Tones OF HOME 