Track List
Smoking Rooms
Roman Candles
Paying Bills For The End Of The World
Manongahela Park
Alone At St Lukes
Whiplash
Spitting In The Wind
I’m An Albatross
Runnin’ Out Of Excuses
In Lieu Of Flowers
Dead Leaves
Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties excel here with an emotional record, an album brimming in anecdotes of pain and days spent shrouded in loneliness. The act, fronted by The Wonder Years’s Dan ‘Soupy’ Campbell, delivers hooks and brilliant instrumentals which add suspense and creativity.
In Lieu Of Flowers is a masterclass in storytelling and it triggers feelings, opening the bigger picture. The music soars when it needs to. As the melody flows like a fine wine, the lyrics give us an insight into the workings of the band, their hopes, and fears, and their broken moments.
Campbell sings with vigour and intent on these songs, bittersweet tracks that rise and fall and then rise again. The emotion ingrains everything, becoming this lingering, but pivotal thing that grows.
11 songs make up this collection. ‘Paying Bills At The End Of The World’ is a wonderful track and it showcases Campbell’s range and lyrical qualities. The acoustic guitar boasts brilliance.
‘Whiplash’ is another acoustic track worthy of our time. Campbell sings again with emotion rippling through his head and veins. It’s one of those songs that brings you in and leaves you gobsmacked by its poignant elegance.
‘Runnin’ Out Of Excuses’ is a piano-driven song which welcomes rapid charge instrumentals. Campell raises his vocals and it becomes this rowdy and emotional take on pessimism.
This band has shown they are equipped even through the pain. In Lieu Of Flowers is not just a standard LP – it has memorable songs which evoke meaning.
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Verdict - 9/10
9/10