Disasterland - Parting Ways

Disasterland

Parting Ways
self-released; 2015

3.4 out of 5

By Megan Gazzo

Parting Ways brought to us by Disasterland is a story of an album. It is mentioned in their bio that the band is filled with lost members, either gone because they passed away or because the music just wasn’t their cup of tea. This brings the listener some background info that changes the sound of the album.

The first song “Fallin’ Down” is a highly motivated piece that is fast moving and coiled tightly. The lyrics speak about keep fallin’ down, which makes me think this is in reference to perhaps the loss of the members. They seem to keep trying to get back up again, and then another fall happens.

Perhaps that is what brings them their unique sound, which feels jam-packed with reflection and life lessons. The next song “Hard to Hide” brings a more hard edged vibe with some wicked bass guitar riffs. The drums and bass feel deep and rustic, skeptical and weathered. The guitar and drums are both dotted sporadically across the track, the bass being the main element and foundation that holds this song together. The singer’s voice is unique and strong. 

Moving along to ”Her Eyes” it is dancey and energetic. It feels like a springbreak anthem. Turn up the volume and lose all inhibitions. It is bright and strong. The singer’s voice is quite nasally. It is somewhere stuck between singing and just talking. 

The vocalist has trouble hitting high notes  but he tends to want to go there. I like the instrumentals a lot and I think the drums and guitar are well done, however the singer throws it off just a little. It is digestible, but when he tries to hit high notes it feels like he is straining a bit too hard. 

In the song “Let the Fire Burn” we get a country rock vibe. It is almost like bluegrass but without the fiddle. The lyrics are mostly about love and broken hearts. I think “Flogging Molly” is the closest thing that is coming up for me with this music. I think punk and rock. Punk rock. Worth checking out if you like those genres.

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