Afterlife Parade - Breakaway

I can't believe it's been over two years since Afterlife Parade were featured on the blog but it's been a busy time for Nashville's Quinn Erwin who has since been named a local lightening artist by Lightening 100, his local independent radio station. The break has also seen the recent release of latest single 'Breakaway' last month which I've had a chance to listen to myself.

Of the track, Erwin says: “We hope this song lays the ground work for what we’re planning for the future. We have a bigger vision than just the music that we’re starting to communicate about although the music is the integral part of what we do...we’re looking forward to sharing that with our fans and further cultivating community with them.” 

The track eases gently into life before quickly establishing an upbeat feel and showcasing the reverb-laden lead vocals. A nice feature is made of harmonising Erwin's vocals before the chorus stirs into life briefly, and then the track takes a slight left-turn as it dips into the second verse, the texture ever-thickening. Both the message and arrangement are simple yet effective with the key spotlight shining on Erwin's vocals throughout. There's a tense bridge section which pulsates below the surface, again building as it heads for the final chorus. An effective electro-pop track which fans of Afterlife Parade are sure to enjoy.

With a plan to tour in support of the track focussed on smaller intimate settings, you might be hard-pushed to see Afterlife Parade live however be sure to keep up to date with the band on Facebook. You can both listen to, and purchase your own copy of, the Breakaway EP from the Afterlife Parade Bandcamp page which also features an instrumental version of the track and a live offering.

Afterlife Parade, Reborn and Revisited

You may recall my post of April 6th, 2011 introducing Afterlife Parafe and their debut EP, 'Death'. I'm pleased to announce that I have since had a listen to the second in the two-part album offering, Death's proceeding partner 'Rebirth'. As explained in the previous post, 'Death' sought celebration in the passing of life and explored the emotions connected with this, so naturally the second-part of the album focusses on rebirth.

As you might expect, Rebirth is the exact opposite to Death in every way, including the arrangment and musicality of the tracks. 'Black Woods, White Beach' features a wonderfully uplifting chord-progression and folk/dance/electronic feel. Quinn Erwin's airy vocals are as present and strong as before, whilst the track builds and falls often with a great groove behind it. Soaring vocals and light, ascending melodies are prominent and help to lift the song, reflecting the positive message that Rebirth hopes to bring.

Another track on the EP, Cincinnati, is as equally uplifting and feel-good. The entire concept behind the album is interesting and quite original, to reflect life and death in such a way musically and lyrically. Cincinnati has a great driving pop-rock groove and feel to it throughout, lifted with synth sounds and assuring vocals. The track is fairly average sounding, in that it might not stand out on the radio, but it definitely wouldn't be out of place either; a perfectly-suited radio-friendly pop-rock track. Strangely the hi-hats are high in the mix and hog a lot of the sound-output; I found their level a little distracting in the final chorus as it drew my focus away from the lead vocals but this might be more the opinion of a drummer rather than a music reviewer! Either way, a safe but confident track.

Creating a concept-album with such differing sounds and themes is an extremely brave move; if fans latch onto your retrospective sound and regard you as a dark and soulful artist, they might hate the very opposite of what they loved about you if you counter all of your ideas and overall sound. It's a matter of taste, but I think it's a great idea and works really well. Rebirth is available now on iTunes and Afterlife Parade are on Facebook.

New Artist Alert: Afterlife Parade

I was recently introduced to the fantastic Afterlife Parade. Personified, the outfit is Quinn Erwin, whose debut offering 'Death' reflects the celebration of many passing lives with his thought-provoking and often harrowing EP. After having recently relocated to Nashville, the musical mecca for many a-fan and artist alike, Erwin found himself surrounded by loss and channeled his emotions, turning his grief into celebration, and came up with a mature-sounding debut introduction whose title track, although upbeat, carries a sinister underlying feel. A one Jeff Buckley is, ironically, resurrected; his influence on the music and sound of the vocals very apparent throughout the EP. The haunting offering of 'Nothing But Love Can Stay' is a definite stand-out track, its ghostly piano and solemn vocals laying the foundation of the sinister love song.

The entire EP tells a story, taking the listener on a journey, beginning with the concise Fate: An Introduction, aptly named at the head of the album which meanders among death's path, hot on the heels of the Grim Reaper, before concluding with Afterlife Parade, completing the journey from a fateful death to the preceeding accepatance.

Death doesn't make for the happiest of listenings contrary to its ambition to celebarate and not mourn the passing of souls, but it definitely attempts to maintain an upbeat outlook on death which can't be the easiest pitch. I really like the sound of the artist and indeed the EP itself, and hope you'll be intrigued to delve yourself into the mind of Quinn Erwin and explore the EP for yourself.

Take a step into the unknown; more on Afterlife Parade can be found on Myspace where you can hear Death for yourself and keep up-to-date with the artist.