Scorched Waves - Scorched Waves

Scorched Waves

Scorched Waves
self-released; 2020

3.6 out of 5

By Dan Weston

Scorched Waves is a band consisting of high school students Tiernan Brinkman (vocals), Tyler Armstrong (guitar/vocals), Jaren Wojcik (keyboard/percussion/vocals), Alice Vuorinen (bass) and Damian Kessler (drums/guitar/vocals). They range from about fourteen to seventeen years old. Apparently Scorched Waves is their first release, and it was recorded in the basement of Tyler's guitar teacher’s house in his home studio.

The band certainly sounds young. On that note they also sound good and seem to be experimenting with different styles at this point. The band gets going with “Desolate” which is a fun rock song with some elements of post punk but it is also quite anthemic. There are some great vocal harmonies on this song and a solid lead vocal performance as well.

They get a little punk rock on “Miss Monroe” while “Autumn Love” is a bit of a folk ballad that turns in a rock anthem. “Autumn Love” might be the highlight on the album. They have more success on “I Won't Miss You” which contains more instrumentation like a mandolin. This felt like another highlight and a slightly more advanced direction I think the band should follow.

They go into rock mode with “Under The Bus” and get a little emotional and melancholy with the closer “What Does It Matter.”

​The band stated “Every song has a different mood and almost a different style.” I was producing before these members were born. That’s a fun thing to do but you can’t form a signature or singular sound that way. That's really the point bands want to get to where they have a singular sound. Think about bands as far ranging as Aphex Twin to The White Stripes. They have a sound and you can kind of conjure it in your mind  if you are familiar with their material. 

​This band has talent and it seems like they are having fun making music which is a great start. If they want to take it to the next level they may want to consider working with a producer to help sculpt their sound or just think more about how all their songs can form an identity for the band. Overall, I thought this was a solid release from young musicians who are just getting started. I look forward to hearing more.

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