A Free Society
Omnivore, 2022
8/10
An all-star outfit consisting of David J (Bauhaus, Love And Rockets), Victor Delorenzo (Violent Femmes) and the multi-instrumentalist Darwin Meiners, this debut album as Night Crickets was born out of the excess of time the pandemic lockdown provided, and digs deep into the varied influences from the artists.
The trio start the listen with the warm tone and punchy drumming of “Black Leather On The Inside”, where glowing bass lines help cultivate a cryptic yet playful display of dark alt-rock, and “Candlestick Park” follows with more focus on guitar as a slight jangle enters the atmospheric, post-punk leanings.
Further down the line, the title track showcases thumping drums and hypnotic bass alongside the vivid storytelling, while “Soul Wave” resides in a haze of mystery and ominous tones of calm intimacy.
Deeper yet, “The Unreliable Narrator” showcases throbbing bass and playful drumming amid the cryptic spoken word, and “I Want My Night Crickets!” exits the listen with a swirling melody and atypical atmosphere that radiates much creativity.
Considering the vast skill and experience from these three, it’s really no surprise that this is an unclassifiable listen that touches on art-rock, throwback pop, psychedelia, New Wave and post-punk, and it unfolds in a way that’s unpredictable, unassuming and very exciting.
Travels well with: Matthew Sweet- Catspaw; Peter Laughner- Peter Laughner