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 06/2014

    LIZ KENNEDY
    Speed Bump

  • reviewed 02/2005

    David Francey
    The Waking Hour

  • reviewed 06/2011

    IN TALL BUILDINGS
    In Tall Buildings

  • reviewed 01/2010

    SUFJAN STEVENS
    The BQE

  • reviewed 05/2011

    MATT THE ELECTRICIAN
    Accidental Thief

  • reviewed 01/2013

    JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS AND BALSAM RANGE
    Daylight

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.