Somerset - Somerset

Somerset

Somerset
self-released; 2019

​3.8 out of 5

By My Nguyen

Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Somerset is a group of guys passionate about rock n’ roll. Recently Somerset released their debut self-titled album Somerset consisting of 13 original songs. The band works tirelessly to get their music out and perfecting each song by spending 60+ hours in the studio. They continue to gig around Boston, growing a fanbase and spreading the love of rock n’ roll.

The sound incorporates a blend of hard rock, blues and pop that mixed together recalls a cadence similar to early ‘90s rock. The band highlights the era while also toting their own unique sound into the mixture. The results are exacting and exciting.

Somerset opens with “The Carnival,” where big sounds come from the wall of revving guitars. The rhythms are heavy and hypnotic. A guitar solo spiral overhead. The vocals are soaring and dynamic. The music is adamant and loud with big boisterous sounds. The track contains a blues-tinged, gritty vibe with dark and intense textures. The guitars are filled with a great reverberating vibe. The cadence has a metal-tinged feel mixed in with hard rock that reminds me of the hard and soft sounds coming from a band like Chevelle. The music is very intense.

On “Space I’m Wasting,” melody-driven guitars add range to this song. The guitars are revving and filled with energy. This is an upbeat and catchy track, a departure from the dark undertones coming from the previous songs. This track contains a rocking alternative vibe. With a strong melodic flow to it, listeners will be swayed by the very ebb and flow of the music. It will have audiences bobbing their heads and tapping their feet in no time.

On “One Face I Know,” synths add an ambient scope to the start of the song. A piano tune trickles in. It has a soft lilting cadence to it. Next, noodling on the acoustic guitar struts in. The sound is altogether melodic and dynamic. This is a slow burning ballad. Next, the pacing of the track changes up for a more upbeat and melodic tempo. The intricate guitars remind me of the guitar work on Minus the Bear. Sounds of lush strings also trace this song, adding a dramatic element to the track.

On the closer “Signs,” deft finger picking on the guitar starts off this song. The background is filled with ambient synths, giving off an atmospheric feel. The guitars become more melody-driven. Next, a more full-on sound is executed with fast drums, rhythmic bass lines and lively percussions joining in.

The band innovates delving into experimental flourishes on this album. Somerset goes on to integrate symphonic overture into its sound. On the track “One Face I Know,” the sound of lush strings underlines the gamut of this song. This added a more dramatic element to the overall effect of the album. Embellishments like a chip tune melody in “Phoenix” gives a unique edge to the music.

​With edgy, raw rock tunes, the tight musicianship on this album assails with a wall of revving guitars loosened over the effects, rhythms-heavy bass lines and a rollicking drumming beat. You can tell these are musicians passionate about their craft. Their packed jam-sessions display a tight-knit chemistry that not only showcase their love of music but also their ever-evolving rapport. These electric rock songs are a testament to musicians who know how to rock hard! The band shows a lot of potential with their debut and I can’t wait to hear more from them soon.

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