Fellowcraft – This Is Where You’ll Find Me
Release Date: 26th February 2021
Label: Self-Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Indie-Prog, Alternative Rock.
FFO: Porcupine Tree, DMB, Alcest.
Review By: Kenny Newall
Not having heard of Washington DC band, Fellowcraft, I was somewhat apprehensive as they describe themselves as Indie-Prog Rock and I’m always on edge with prog as they keep hankering to mix some mustard in the custard. But this is more of a proggy feel rather than a look at how many bits and time signatures we can squeeze into the same song.
Opener and my favourite track, Coyote And The Desert Rose has guitar that reminds me of Tool, and elsewhere on the album the vocals remind me of Clutch and Winery Dogs, but Fellowcraft don’t sound like any. Which is what their style is; sounds like, but isn’t. And what it also isn’t like, is Fellowcraft, as they’ve added new members and a new sound. I have to say, though, that I prefer their old sound which was funkier and had more impetus. The new sound is more thoughtful and, if you will, crafted. It’s as if their target audience has changed from the undergrad beer swillers to the post grad wine imbibers. But even though it’s been 20 some years since I had a night on the town in Georgetown, I’m guessing that a mix of old and new will go down a treat live for partakers of all persuasions.
Although not my cup of tea, This Is Where You’ll Find Me is a grower. 3 listens in and I’m at not bad, not great, but it has its moments. Which is an improvement on the 1st listen which was a nah.
Another new member, albeit a cameo is Chris Dale of the Bruce Dickinson Band who lends his bass for their cover of said band’s I Will Not Accept The Truth. Not one of my favourite Air-Raid Siren solo efforts to begin with, this cover feels weak. Lacking. But this is in part due to the opaque, decaf production which I feel could do with some muscle, especially in the guitar mix. But then, this is indie-prog and that’s what they do. Another guest is Nate Bergman of Lionize on Make No Sound, a song about the mixed emotions of dealing with the current COVID restrictions.
Of note is an acoustic demo version of This Is How The World Ends to close out the album complete with a fuck up or two, bravely left in. Sounds like Dave Matthews Band. But it isn’t.
The press bio states their local achievements, and this is what I’m hearing. An above average college band, but singing about The Last Great Scotsman II is probably as close as they’ll get to making a dent on my side of the pond.
(2.5 / 5)
