Conebuds is a young American band that offers a mixture of genres and styles between Progressive Rock, Stoner and Hard Rock. Their debut album “Evolution” was released on April 06, 2021 and contains 10 medium to long length tracks. The album opens with “Journey’s Start” an introductory track of 2 minutes, characterized by a solid rhythmic session and a sound guided by the guitar, halfway between classic Rock and Stoner. The following “Hippo” opens with a biting electric guitar and drum rolls, and then develops a track enriched by tempo changes. It is the first track sung, with a warm and expressive vocal, while the sound develops with modern Psychedelic atmospheres and forays into the Stoner. The guitar is at the center of the scene and the bass lines are deep and elaborate, with this long piece that flows pleasantly between tempo changes and enveloping atmospheres. “Wind” is characterized by a rhythmic drumming and melodic guitar intertwining that stratify, then slow down and return to atmospheres halfway between Prog and Psychedelia. With the entry of the vocal the track becomes softer and more linear, alternating the stanzas with guitar solo inserts. Acoustic and electric guitar intertwine and open “Six Eight” a delicate track with a warm and intense vocal. In the central part with a change we enter the instrumental section, more energetic and with the electric guitar offering a valuable solo. The second part up to the finale is characterized by a long instrumental section that is enriched by tempo changes and guitar inserts on a solid and elaborate rhythm session. A Rock-style guitar begins “Awfunk” to which sax is added, offering more intricate textures and finely crafted solo cues with Funky traits. In the central instrumental section the guest on sax offers a prolonged solo, which in the final part of the piece is intertwined with the electric guitar in an engaging duet. “Adam” is a 1:47 minute interlude with heavy and dark sounds with continuous tempo changes. Drums take center stage in “The Big Bud,” a track that is a long solo lasting over 5 minutes, highlighting Sean O’Neill‘s technique. “Why Do I Do This” begins with massive guitar riffs and a rock rhythm session, taking us back to the harshest sounds of the band. The Psychedelic and Stoner traits mix with Hard Rock, creating a song with a personal and original sound with a vocal in line with the modern productions of the genre of bands such as Monolord. The riffs are very successful, as well as the solo in the second part with a use of effects that enhances the sound of the guitar. Another interlude is “Dunes” which leads us to the final track of over 13 minutes, developing an acoustic guitar arpeggio with delicate and refined features. Closes the album “Lost Temple” which is the longest track on the album with over 13 minutes in length, featuring a guitar and drum intro. Developing with Stoner sounds and personal traits, this band is skilled in creating their own style and proposing it with a valuable technique, successful riffs and engaging passages. The instrumental section in the central part is good, enriched by the tempo changes, it offers guitar solo inserts and elaborate textures attributable to a modern and original Psychedelic genre. A band that offers a good debut album, mixing various genres and styles and creating their own personal style between modern Psychedelia, Stoner and forays into Prog. Ideas of a good level, well composed and performed make this album a pleasant listening, which lays the foundations for future releases to be taken into consideration. This young band proposed an interesting album from start to finish, knowing how to mix multiple genres and styles with good technique, a recommended listening.
Tracklist
01. Journey’s Start (02:02)
02. Hippo (06:29)
03. Wind (05:48)
04. Six Eight (05:46)
05. Awfunk (05:00)
06. Adam (01:47)
07. The Big Bud (05:28)
08. Why Do I Do This (06:35)
09. Dunes (01:07)
10. Lost Temple (13:30)
Lineup
Jake Cullin / Guitars, Bass, Lead Vocals, Lyrics
Sean O’Neill / Drums, Vocals
Featuring Special Guests:
Greg Ryan / Tenor Saxophone
Amanda Cullin Hannick / Vocal Coach & Moral Support
[…] [REVIEW] […]