Vicissitudes
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
This debut album from Like Years, which is fueled by the Portland, Oregon artist John Craig, explores insomnia, anxiety, existential angst and welcomes indie, pop, and cinematic ideas, as well as plenty of guests to the eclectic listen.
The record starts with Asher Fulero’s dreamy keyboards and Nathan Tucker’s well timed sax on the smooth, melodic and R&B tinted “Freeway”, and “Insomnia” follows with Reinhardt Melz’s skilled drumming highlighting the calm, lush textures of the ‘80s influenced delivery.
In the middle, “Run” recruits Harvey Rogers’ moody guitar to complement the animated synth-pop instrumental, while “The Optimist” carries traces of Latin rhythm amid the mid-tempo rocker and album highlight that makes great use of Mike Savage’s background vocals.
Nearing the end, “Wavves Of Light” radiates mystery via the mesmerizing and post-punk fueled haze, and “Out Of The Water” exits with ethereal group vocals, cultured percussion and hypnotic guitar for the absorbing finish.
It wasn’t long ago that Craig was working in the corporate world, but he quit that to focus on music and raise his daughters. An extremely creative first effort, there’s little doubt that Like Years has plenty more songs in the queue that we’re going to want to hear.
Travels well with: Film School- We Weren’t Here; Dewey Defeats Truman- The Way You Shatter