“High Times on Lowly Streets,” the third release from post-punk
folk/Americana outfit Coastwest Unrest is an account of perpetual introspection
and reminiscence. With lyrics full of sincere similes and poetic nostalgia, the
album is slower, more mature, and more melodic—yet more intense in its own
ways—than Coastwest’s prior releases.
With lyrics, “The smell of old sage makes us think of rain…
all these things we’re remembering… as we make amends with our enemies,”
opening track Remembrance of Things Past
is equal parts chaotic and melodious, and sets the tone for the 11-song record.
On fourth track, Still Frightened, guitarist/lead
singer Noah Dickie’s sweet voice imparts a tale (or a metaphor) of a burning
house, as a hint of a metal-scream floods the background toward the end of the
song. Lighthearted track Henry Miller
Library Incident elicits a yearning to jump in the truck with your
sweetheart and go for a drive as Noah croons, “We are restless but time is our
medicine... These are days we could have never imagined.”
As he sings, “I’m
haunted by your good-bye and everything thereafter,” on track Fortuitous Disaster, an account of a “sad
state of affairs” that most of us know all too well comes to mind—the
bittersweet resolution of a relationship that’s run its course. Catchy, heartfelt,
and perhaps my favorite song on the album, I couldn’t help but sing along to
lyrics, “Hey! It’s us against the world again, but our hearts are where they’ve
always been,” on eighth track, Lost &
Damned, as early as my first time hearing it. Just as unpredictable, soothing and chaotic as it began, the album closes with its eponymous eleventh
track; homage to the highs and lows of Las Vegas.
Throughout the record, the pleasing sound of Alex Barnes’
violin takes the aural senses on a swooping ride like a bird on the wind,
especially on ninth track, Sincerely, Strongly, Completely, another favorite
of mine on the album... especially because it nods to the haunting nature of
Coastwest’s albums past. Drummer Josh Dickie’s rhythm and intuitive
syncopations keep the pulse and murmur of the album’s heart. If there was a
record from this band that is most sing- and hum-along worthy and fine tuned to
please a broader spectrum of listeners, this is it.
COASTWEST UNREST – “High Times on Lowly Streets”
1.Remembrance of Things Past
2.Empty Handed Painter
3.The Wire Birds on Charleston Blvd
4.Still Frightened
5.A Pairing Gift
6.Henry Miller Library Incident
7.Fortuitous Disaster
8.Lost & Damned
9.Sincerely, Strongly, Completely
10.Where Will You Go Tonight
11.High Times on Lowly Streets
Kudos to Coastwest Unrest on their third studio release, due out April 23rd under Reclaim Records.
~Meow~
Pennies
