The Family Album
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The esteemed Charleston, West Virginia rockers The Company Stores return with their 3rd album, and it has the lead vocalist Ileana Ille guiding the meticulous band through themes of family that display skilled texturing, harmonies and grooves.
“Savannah” starts the listen with a warm atmosphere, a Ille’s powerful and soulful pipes steer the crisp drums and agile rock climate, and “A New Leaf” follows with graceful keys, twinkling percussion and an impressive vocal range, where the tune soars with a very passionate delivery.
Closer to the middle, the soothing grooves of the cautious “Old Dog” are met with spirited guitar work, while “Fathers” displays a profound intimacy that’s quite poetic, and even a bit darker in scope as the band make for a stirring delivery.
Near to the end, “Some Sunday” uses brass strategically alongside some subtle R&B nods, and “Castles & Cain” exits the listen with a bare but impactful gospel demeanor that’s gentle, almost meditative.
A very diverse listen that uses strings and horns and can rock with plenty of grit, but also retreat to vulnerable moments of beauty, The Company Stores just keep getting better with each subsequent release.
Travels well with: Damn Tall Buildings- Sleeping Dogs; Swift Silver- Swift Silver