BROTHER ADAMS

Almost Alive at Front Street

2015-01-12

Brother Adams is a three-man, Holland, Michigan-based rock group. Their album Almost Alive at Front Street has a definite southern twang but refuses a purely "country" label. Their sound has all the elements of a folk-country band--mandolin, violin, banjo, harmonica, etc.-- but the loud, gritty vocals and dark, driving melodies give the album a distinctly rock feel. There are also trace elements of jazz throughout the album and a little Latin flair in "3:59 AM," proving that this group is diversely influenced--and difficult to neatly place in a subgenre. 

The first track, "Roll Your Stone" is probably the most lyrically interesting song on the album, treating the Greek myth of Sisyphus. Other songs speak of love, mortality, and religion. "Push" and "We'll Pretend" are two of the slower tracks on the album, and I think they showcase the best of Brother Adams's vocal styles. Almost Alive at Front Street is a high-energy, sonically diverse record that fans of new spins on traditional folk sounds will likely enjoy. 

Reviewed by: Marie Orttenburger

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 02/2015

    Watching for Foxes
    Until Winter Comes (EP)

  • reviewed 10/2004

    Buddy Miller
    Universal United House of Prayer

  • reviewed 08/2008

    CITY AND COLOUR
    Bring Me Your Love

  • reviewed 05/2011

    THE WATSON TWINS
    Night Covers

  • reviewed 02/2008

    Caroline Herring
    Lantana

  • reviewed 07/2017

    Indoor Garden Party
    The Musical

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.