Rodger the Rover! is a Monterey, CA based musical project led by singer/songwriter Brendan James Dean. A Virginia native, Dean moved to Oakfield, NY in the summer of 2018, where he began writing songs under the moniker of Rodger the Rover! He is releasing his latest album entitled Letters.
A one-man band venture, Dean takes care to write, record and mix all the songs. You can tell the project is independent with the instruments all played by him, including the guitars, drums, bass, melodica, bass and keys. Entirely DIY, Dean handles everything on the album himself. From the realization of a song to the final mixing and mastering, Dean is there to see through to the actualization of the record. You can tell a lot of care and attention is imbued into these set of songs, as Dean adds the finishing touches to this album. Although Rodger the Rover! initially was a project that revolved around the acoustic guitar, the artist had decided on a fuller band sound towards the final execution of the record. The decision has resulted in a fuller band vibe as Dean set out to expand on a cadence that would encompass the influences of the three states (VA, NY, CA) he has lived in. The album dives into timely themes of change and how we adjust to it. In this day and age, in times of confinement, we have to fully adapt to our new situation. Dean wanted the album to reflect how entirely up and down that can sometimes be. On that note, Letters opens with “Roads,” where evocative strumming on the acoustic guitar sets the tone for the start of this track. The vocal harmonies are warm and effusive. The vocal tones have a golden appeal. The acoustic guitar alone accompanies the vocals. The sound that coalesces is dynamic. Next, a fuller band cadence follows through with the support of guitars, bass lines, drums and percussions. The vibe that flows through is melodious and catchy. The song has a whole lot of range. Following is “Losing Everyone,” where deft finger-picking on the banjo adds to the vibe on the track. Traces of the acoustic guitar also add to the song structure. The sound of the banjo is vibrant. Next, the cadences of drums come strutting in. The combined vocal layers are dynamic and rich. The instruments clash together in a discordant fashion. A bit of dissonance offers up a fractured sound to the overall song. The title-track “Letters” dives into a provocative cadence coming from the distinct numerating on the acoustic guitar. The track has an emo, bedroom rock vibe. The sounds of the banjo also underscore this song. The feel is altogether rich and dynamic. On the closer, “Canvas,” noodling on the acoustic guitar starts off this quiet track. The song contains a soft tilting melody filled with a soothing and calming vibe. The acoustic guitar melody solely supports the emotional vocals. The track has a lulling effect much like a lullaby. This is an apt closer as Dean bids farewell with a soft ending. Dean has crafted a record filled with heartfelt themes. He wears his heart on his sleeve on these affable numbers. His effusive personality shines through on these warm tracks. In the singer/songwriter vein, these songs glow with their heartwarming themes and captivating sounds. Dean sings from a standpoint of raw authenticity and poignant honesty. These are searing numbers that really carry. With topics that range from the power of friendships to the difficulties of confinement, Letters caters to fans of indie folk, alternative and bedroom rock. Filled with evocative melodies and presented in a vulnerable manner that addresses the sensitivity on this record, Letters is an impressive album. Brimming with honeyed and rich layers, Dean has offered up a solid foundation on his latest album. I look forward to seeing more from this artist.
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