Many may know rock and roll from its harsher, edgier sounds. Bands such as Nirvana, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses are common names that are heard when discussing the foundations of the genre. Splatter Pattern, however, channels the psychedelic spirits of inspirations such as Pink Floyd and Bowie with their latest release “While We Were Making Plans.”
“The Wheel” kicks the album off. The guitar slides in with a smooth riff that grabs your attention while the drum solo behind jams with a free spirit. The vocals are as smooth as the guitar riffs with a bassline that dances with the vocals that gives the track a healthy bounce. As the track, the psychedelic influences compound spacey moments that would feel harsh when they become grounded if the fall wasn’t broken each time. Whether it be the smooth vocals or a sweet guitar solo, “The Wheel” never sacrifices the momentum it builds to the point where the build-up during the outro creates a palpable tension before the track ends. The dynamic structure of “The Wheel” makes for an impressive intro track that leaves the listener wanting more.
“The Space Between The Seconds” grabs your attention with a scaling bass groove that is impossible to ignore. The piano and guitars support the dominating bassline while the drums give it all a flow that’s easy to fall into with a nod of the head. The loving musings of the multi-talented Bill Ryan compliment the smooth instrumental aesthetic with a soft touch that lets the tenderness of the lyrics sink in whenever you hear the chorus. The guitar solo at the 3-minute mark is explosive and resets the pulse of the track, going into psychedelic shredding that is mind-blowing to experience after the smooth jamming the track glides on. It gives the outro power and will make you get up to jam to it on your first listen-through.
“The Corner Of My Eye” hits the ground running with Bill Ryan’s smooth vocals, flanked by a bouncy tropical beat that’s hard to not get up and move to. The deep bass dances well with the sunny, cymbal-heavy percussions while the airy guitars reinforce the aesthetic perfectly. The tropical beats come full circle when the marimba takes center stage for a fun solo. While the instrumentals are upbeat and sunny, they offer a stark contrast from the loneliness felt in the lyrics. Lines such as “it used to be, you used to fill a space and make a shape. The morning sun would cast a shadow from the sky, but it seems… That now you have executed your escape” cut through the upbeat groove and carry a palpable weight that’s hard to ignore once you notice it. It gives “The Corner Of My Eye” a depth on par with the rest of the album and will only grow on you during subsequent listens.
“The Sink” has a hard rock intro that continues the attitude from the retro-rock epic “Siblings” but quickly sheds it for a much more playful synth melody. The bouncy bass and wailing guitars make for the perfect complement to the retro-styled synths, with a drum beat that keeps it sunny throughout. Aside from the wild, rising chorus, the track is purely instrumental and is a ton of fun when it hits on the album’s second listen. After the unrelenting attitude of “Siblings,” “The Sink” feels like the perfect chaser.
“Please Go Away” is another stand-out track. The slow, contemplative aesthetic comes in full force from a deep bass groove meeting with stringy guitars and a bright marimba to keep it from moving into a dark place. The track is packed with musical surprises and intense instrumental moments that you instantly melt once you hear them as they grip you, only to kick the track into the next gear or slow it down. Moments such as when Ryan sings “days pass and many more, after and still before, locked in a tug-of-war” are unforgettable, creating moments where you feel the music dancing with the vocals. These moments are underscored by the musical surprises hidden within the track, making subsequent listens feel fresh as you discover new sounds you may have missed the first time around. This makes “Please Go Away” a stand-out musical epic with a powerful and cinematic outro that feels earned after the musical journey it takes you on.
“While We Were Making Plans” is nothing short of an epic. Tracks such as “The Space Between Seconds” and “Please Go Away” are long powerhouse tracks with long runtimes that never disappoint. Others such as “The Corner Of My Eye” and “The Sink” offer a great texture and personality to the album that feel great between these long tracks. While there are a few tracks whose instrumental mixing overpowers the lyrics, “While We Were Making Plans” is an album that any rock fan should listen to at least once.
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