The Tailwinds - everything

The Tailwinds

Everything
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Jerrica Tisdale

Everything could very well mean just that. This album by The Tailwinds is a little of everything wrapped up into a slightly indie, slightly garage sound. From the first track you might think you have these guys pegged but by the end when the groove is slow and fat and the lyrics ebb toward the urban you'll find yourself wondering how rockabilly one minute could turn near rap the next. The Tailwinds are all about that up and down, side-to-side songwriting. Who needs continuity when you have so much to say?

It's nothing jarring or unpleasant, just give up the expectations for a passive listen. This is gonna take attention; I see different points where certain songs quote or foreshadow the next. The styles these guys weave are creative if nothing else. The chord progressions are unconventional, the drum parts ambitiously odd and the vocal delivery is unabashed in its variance of low budget ‘90s and quirky southern blues character. The alternative is strong in this one and that's just touching the surface.

If you like Talking Heads, R.E.M. and could imagine a Gin Blossoms / B-52s mash-up you're definitely an interesting person, but also very much on track with the sonic arc of Everything.

"La Da Da" kicks it all off with a powerful funk rock back beat with quick triplet fills, a very unique way to start a song and it furthers the impression. The chorus meets up with dirty overdrive and a very singsong refrain, one guess as to what that is. "Back Door Man" is a little more frisky and bluesy, yet hinged and spiced with jazzy moments. It's guaranteed to be nothing like what you've heard today. 

"I Don't Wanna Get Up" starts out with that quintessential acoustic rhythm that teases Jane's Addiction, but ultimately deviates from modern structure and builds on the personal tastes of the artists at hand. The element of prediction is out the window because not even I knew what chord was next. Kudos for crafting sense into what could have been a wandering mess if put in the wrong hands. Ergo my old roommate. But that's for another day. The Tailwinds bring many flavors and I'm sure there's one for everyone in Everything.

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