Feed Your Head - Self

​Feed Your Head

​Self
self-released; 2018

​3.9 out of 5

By Rebecca Rothschild

Feed Your Head, an indie rock band out of Saint Paul, Minnesota, has tickled my fancy with their EP Self. Interesting name considering I couldn't tell you too much about the trio; they didn't spend a lot of time talking about themselves. Overall they are not very chatty in any way about their methods, members or influences and I am beyond okay with that. I enjoy jumping in with zero context, my mind is free of expectations. I'm free to digest the music as is, no GMO's or added sweeteners. I like what they've done here. Something about it sticks out like a sore thumb, in the best way.

The vocal performance grabbed my attention immediately and helped make this group so distinctive. The vocal talent has a raw female power to it, not that I am assuming the gender of the vocalist, but the vocals did remind me of some of my favorite vocalists who happen to be women. Speaking of the vocalists that this particular performance reminded me of, almost none of them were in the indie rock category, and that's what I think makes this vocalist stand out. I am reminded mostly of jazz and even classical singers who are women. The vocalist takes free spirited walks up and down the scale with a strong improvisational spirit. This lovely voice is paired with purely poetic lyrics which are sometimes very flowery and sometimes cut right through the bullshit.

On the musical side you'll hear things that are more decidedly indie. You get the surfy beach vibes and even a little dark alt rock mixed in. It's a good combo that really lets that voice do the talking. They keep everything at a very flighty and unpredictable tempo, another aspect that keeps this group so distinctive for me. They often anchor themselves in a low key indie rock vice that sound comes of as nostalgic, almost as though they pine for the ’90s as I do. I will say I do wish there was a little more meat on the bones of the music at times. I love what the guitar is doing but I feel like musically there were so many moments where it could have had more to say.

This EP was a studio project done in Saint Paul by Neil Weir of Blue Bell Knoll Studio. Mixing and mastering was done by the hands of Bruce Templton at Microphonic Mastering in Minneapolis. I like the touch of keeping things local for recording and production. It's interesting in today's market where those who do DIY often strive to sound more like a studio project and those who record in studio often have to work to be not so "studio." Self was engineered with more of an at home feel kept in mind however the professional grade touches are easy to spot and I appreciated it.

​This is a great indie rock album that could stand the test of time, it has a timeless quality to it. I think there is more than enough appeal for me to state confidently that this is worth a listen if you're an indie rock enthusiast. It's an understated gem, I truly enjoyed it.

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