Roscoe Tripp - A Cage Made of Tin

​Roscoe Tripp

A Cage Made of Tin
​self-released; 2023

​​By ​Dino DiMuro

Roscoe Tripp is not a man but the moniker of a Washington, DC musical collective that has just released their second EP titled A Cage Made of Tin.

Roscoe Tripp is a fairly new band, having been formed in late 2022 to play “raw, heartfelt music” using styles from indie to punk to country. Their sound features aspects of artists like Bright Eyes, Pavement and Elliott Smith. Thematically they hope to reveal genuine emotions while embracing vulnerability and brutal honesty, but with an infectious playfulness to leaven the sadness. 

The band calls their new EP “a story of growth and collaboration for the band. Gone are the songs written and recorded solely by lead singer, Greg Fine; instead we find writing partnerships and guest musicians that complement Fine's intense style.”  Recording took place at Cue Recording Studios in Falls Church, Virginia, with mastering by Dave Blackman at Hiltongrove  in the United Kingdom. 

“A Cage Made Of Tin” was positioned at the top of the playlist to “alert listeners to the band’s evolving sound.” For a new listener like me, their sound evokes Julian Casablancas and possibly Lou Reed, with a jumpy, somewhat cluttered alternative rock arrangement. The chorus is a big surprise as huge guitar chords are matched with samples of a jet engine winding up; a great trick I’m amazed nobody’s tried before! Melodic guitar lines and more vocals are added as the song continues, using up even more precious sonic space. The drums are working overtime with paramilitary rolls, along with appropriately spacey synth lines by Kenny Carkeet and bass playing by guest Eric Scott. 

“Such A Pretty Girl” is actually a remix by guitarist Masterjee Bumbu of an older song written by founder Greg Fine. However it came about, it’s an amazingly cool single that draws you in like a warm blanket. The guitars are shimmery, the bass is fuzzy and inventive, and the drums again play triple time beats with added percussive sounds. The chorus is so nice that I found myself singing harmony parts as I walked in the park! Plus I’m always a sucker for unabashed love songs for pretty girls just because they’re pretty. 

“Carry It Over” is another Fine original with work on the bridge and chorus by Bumbu. This one deals with a sad moment just before Fine’s father died of pancreatic cancer. Almost deleted because it was deemed too depressing, it’s actually quite celebratory with vocals and ringing guitars that recall The Killers or The Strokes. I love the chorus lyrics “I wish that we could carry it over / and never be sober / never come to our senses.” The song comes to a sudden, unexpected end right in the middle of a beat. 

The almost-final track and lead single is called “Big Dreams” and features the songwriting of guitarist Tony Vitez. This one features “unrelenting guitar heaviness” and melodies that the band likens to Radiohead. Like the previous songs this one has an especially strong, dramatic sing-along chorus. The second verse features OI-style chanting (“Fight! Fight!”).  Ringing lead guitar lines bring the tune home. 

“Mind How You Go” is a minute-long concluding instrumental that could be playing from an anteroom of the Haunted Mansion, until the rock guitars kick back in for a short riff-fest slathered with Germanic police sirens. It comes and goes so quickly that you wonder what it’s about, but apparently it’s sort of a teaser for future music from Roscoe Tripp.

​These are great songs from an evolving group that may well be just markers in time for greater things to come. But for now it’s an excellent listen and worth a spot in your playlists. Check it out!

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