Inspiration can manifest itself in many forms. Some forms can be subtle, letting the influence guide your eye in details while giving your personal expression the reins. For the Falconeers, “Volume One” takes the form of a direct homage to the rock and roll of the 80’s, wearing the resemblance like a badge of honor.
“Best Days” kicks the album off and while it starts the listen off slow, it ramps up quick into a retro-inspired rock anthem. It’s a heavily nostalgic track right down to its instrumentals, with guitar work and groovy synths that feel pulled right out of the 80’s. It makes the track the perfect one to set the stage for this classic-rock inspired ride.
“Thirtysomething Tragedy” is a track that stands out among the first few songs. The light intro is propped up by the pops of the drums and the raspy croons “and you say I could never disappoint you, I just screw it up every time.” That line also kicks the track off into the signature retro rock sound where the deep bass and soft guitar plucks meet their heavier sounds. The vibe “Thirtysomething Tragedy” brings is powerfully authentic to the classic rock sound, which comes full circle when the guitar solo rocks around the 2:30-mark. It’s a moment where the listener feels fully immersed in the sonic aesthetic of The Falconeers and is a highlight of every repeat listen.
Another stand-out track is “Just Be Happy.” The dreamy synths and reverb-laced guitar plucks tempt the listener into the track before hitting them with the weight of the guitars. Even when that pressure lets up and the guitars fade into melody, the power lays dormant in the bassline that creeps underneath. The emotional weight of the track hangs on the raspy vocal charm, with lines such as “I smile and say everything’s fine, it’s somewhere on down this line, I feel the weight on my wings” and the chorus that comes in to back it up. It gives “Just Be Happy” a memorable quality that elevates it to the heights of the nostalgic sound that inspired it.
Of the final tracks that lead you out, “California (Queen of Light)” steals the show. From the top the subtle percussion grabs your attention while the stringy guitars tempt you in further. When the drums start to pop, it’s almost impossible to not move your head to the beat. This groove makes it easy to remember lines such as “hit the stage and I’m feelin, feelin like I’ve always been in this place, man don’t you know how it is?” When it’s followed up by the sticky chorus, it’s impossible to not sing along. While the guitar solo rocks hard and leads the track out, it’s the bass solo beneath the low crooning that sets it up and steals the show.
The Falconeers are a band that bills themselves as “refugees from the rock 80’s heydays” on their Spotify page. Tracks such as “Best Days” and “Set the Sky On Fire” do a good job at fueling the nostalgia and capturing that anthemic fire of that era, while others such as “Sleepless” are a good example of the more sentimental rock ballads of the time. While a few of the tracks end up stealing the show, “Volume One” of The Falconeers is sure to be just the thing for anyone looking for some new music with an authentic classic rock sound.