06. Album Review: These Times of Trouble by Feverjaw
Originally published July 5th, 2024
Ladies and Gentlemen, with this article, Fifteen Minutes of Fame is going international! Helming from Cardiff, Wales Feverjaw are Dale Hawkins, James Carey, and Lewis Bligh. In their words, Feverjaw is a Welsh Alt-Rock trio with influences stemming from Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, and Silverchair.
If you’re in the area, Feverjaw will be playing at Green Rooms, Treforest on July 19th.
These Times of Trouble
“These Times of Trouble” is an 8-song LP that runs at just under 40 minutes. As previously mentioned, it is very much an alt-rock record garnering heavy influence from several of the powerhouse grunge bands of the 90’s and 2000’s. With every track, I referenced a different band in my head. This album almost gave me feelings of nostalgia as I listened to it. It truly brought me back to my grunge awakening; sitting in my cousin’s living room watching MTV and seeing the music video for “Basketcase” by Green Day for the first time. My parents audibly voicing their disgust and my soul clinging to the passion of the anarchy movement all in that very moment. I can almost feel the baggy jeans on my legs, the sounds of skateboards on pavement, the smell of cigarettes and alcohol that were stolen from somebody’s parents, and an overall sense of our first taste of freedom and independence.
This band has influence coming out of their ears. A bright driving bass that resembles that of Todd Morse of The Offspring. Pocket drumming that controls when they get loud and when they get louder, just like Chad Gracey of Live. Powerful guitars that uniquely parallel to the rhythmical intricacies of each song; just like Dave Grohl has mastered with the Foo Fighters. All led by a vocal performance that reminds me of Billy Corrigan and The Smashing Pumpkins.
I want to clarify, this band has a sound all their own. When I listen to music, I tend to go to other places, remembering something I might have heard in my past. We all do. That’s one of the best parts of music is the reference. It’s emotionally compounding.
Musically, the album is well thought out. “For this album, we’ve tried to build on our sound by introducing more layers, instrumentation, and dabbling in more expansive structures to create an album that has a flow to it.” (Feverjaw) I think this was clearly executed. The engineering and blending of layered guitars really gives a full effect to the instrumentation. There is ample layers in the vocals as well. This eliminates the “closet effect” on a record where the music sounds muffled or like you might be listening to a record being played in the next room.
If there were any complaints with this album, it would be that I would want to hear the lyricist expand on what he is trying to say. On the first track, “There Will Be Blood,” the verses are instrumental and the choruses are the line “We’re running out of time,” repeated. You have won your audience with this very melodic and interesting verse and then you bring them further in with a booming choral part. The line itself brings a sense of desperation that draws more attention. Why not expand from that? There were no bad lyrics in this album. There were many lines that were rather thought provoking, actually. In “Sleepwalker,” the line “I push and I pull just to find a way to be at peace.” I love this because if you analyze what he is saying, he’s saying he creates turmoil for himself to find lasting resolution. I find that absolutely relatable. Then it goes into a chorus where the line “I won’t wake up tonight/I’m in dreams,” is once again repeated. There’s nothing wrong with the line; it’s a good line. I would just like to hear the lyricist expand more on some of these very interesting thoughts.
I think the best song on the album is “On the Wire.” Where the rest of the album has trickled influence from various bands, “On the Wire” really stands on its own. For me, there were no elements that stole away from the energy of this album. “These Times of Trouble,” peeks into the darkness with tamed aggression, warning the listener that they could go off at any minute. It bolsters the same energy of their heroes, Nirvana, and the other Seattle-based powerhouse, Pearl Jam. If you are a fan of alternative rock, Feverjaw is definitely a band worthy of your time.
Musically, the album is well thought out. “For this album, we’ve tried to build on our sound by introducing more layers, instrumentation, and dabbling in more expansive structures to create an album that has a flow to it.” (Feverjaw) I think this was clearly executed. The engineering and blending of layered guitars really gives a full effect to the instrumentation. There is ample layers in the vocals as well. This eliminates the “closet effect” on a record where the music sounds muffled or like you might be listening to a record being played in the next room.
If there were any complaints with this album, it would be that I would want to hear the lyricist expand on what he is trying to say. On the first track, “There Will Be Blood,” the verses are instrumental and the choruses are the line “We’re running out of time,” repeated. You have won your audience with this very melodic and interesting verse and then you bring them further in with a booming choral part. The line itself brings a sense of desperation that draws more attention. Why not expand from that? There were no bad lyrics in this album. There were many lines that were rather thought provoking, actually. In “Sleepwalker,” the line “I push and I pull just to find a way to be at peace.” I love this because if you analyze what he is saying, he’s saying he creates turmoil for himself to find lasting resolution. I find that absolutely relatable. Then it goes into a chorus where the line “I won’t wake up tonight/I’m in dreams,” is once again repeated. There’s nothing wrong with the line; it’s a good line. I would just like to hear the lyricist expand more on some of these very interesting thoughts.
I think the best song on the album is “On the Wire.” Where the rest of the album has trickled influence from various bands, “On the Wire” really stands on its own. For me, there were no elements that stole away from the energy of this album. “These Times of Trouble,” peeks into the darkness with tamed aggression, warning the listener that they could go off at any minute. It bolsters the same energy of their heroes, Nirvana, and the other Seattle-based powerhouse, Pearl Jam. If you are a fan of alternative rock, Feverjaw is definitely a band worthy of your time.
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